A couple of years ago I made a couple of Christmas tree coffee cup cozy knitting patterns as an introduction to knitting stranded knitting and intarsia. I love little projects like this because they don’t take long to knit but … Read More...
Learning about Djibouti for Kids
Djibouti is officially the Republic of Djibouti and it is a country on the Horn of Africa that is heavily influenced by Arabic and French traditions (and those are the nation’s two official languages). Let’s learn more about Djibouti!
Djibouti
… Read More...Get a Jump on Stash Busting with the Cecilia Collection
I like stash busting all the time, but I especially seem to think about stash busting at the beginning of a new year. Using what you have is a great new year’s resolution, and a great habit to keep throughout … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Diana Watters Handmade
Diana Watters Handmade has lovely, vibrant and playful cross stitch patterns filled with color, but it’s also a great shop if you’re looking to be a crafty enabler in a young person’s life.
We’ll get to that in a minute, … Read More...
Book Review: The Littlest Solstice Tree
I shared some ideas about celebrating the winter solstice with kids, but I wanted to share a cute book on the subject as well. The Littlest Solstice Tree by Lisa Varchol Perron and illustrated by Ahya Kim talks about the … Read More...
Book Review: Quick Knit Baby Toys
Babies like the simple things, including when it comes to toys. While it’s lots of fun to knit elaborate projects for babies (and others!), it’s also totally fine to knit simple things. Baby might just end up liking the more … Read More...
25 Days of Christmas Cross Stitch Freebies
There are a lot of great old cross stitch patterns on the Internet, and a lot of good free content if you’re willing to dig around for it.
I’ve had this link to a freebie page from Aurifil (which is … Read More...
Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make
Every year my daughter’s school does a holiday market where the kids (I think it’s either first or second grade that does it) make the things they sell and the proceeds go toward holiday gifts and food for those in … Read More...
Christmas Tree Knitting Patterns
This is one of those posts that’s hard to title because it’s about knits that are shaped like Christmas trees, some of which are ornaments and some of which are bigger. But if you’re looking to knit some little Christmas … Read More...
Fun Ideas for Personalized Cross Stitch Gifts
It’s gift giving season, and it can be fun to make gifts for others, whether cross stitched or otherwise. I have a huge cross stitch project I’ve been “working” on for my daughter that is definitely not going to be … Read More...
Pinecone Learning Activities for Kids
In the winter there aren’t as many natural materials to work with and learn about in a lot of the world. But if you live where there are deciduous trees, you’ll always be able to find pinecones, so let’s do … Read More...
Stitch a Sweet Santa with this Cross Stitch Pattern
I’m going to start this one by admitting I have no idea why this pattern is called a tiered tray tidbits cross stitch chart. This designer, Stitching Housewives, has a whole section on their storefront with more than 100 designs … Read More...
A Knit Blanket for Green Thumbs, Or Black Thumbs
This is one of those projects where I don’t even know what to say about it other than it’s stunning and amazing and I don’t know if I would have the skill for it but if I made it I … Read More...
Book Review: The Kwanzaa Story
Kwanzaa is a modern holiday that was designed deliberately to provide African Americans in the United States (and Blacks around the world) a deeper connection to African culture. The first celebration began on Dec. 26, 1966, and was inspired by … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Pixell Patterns
If you like colorful cross stitch patterns, pop culture references and a bit of (sometimes adult themed) snark, Pixell Patterns might just be the storefront for you.
This Etsy shop based in Portland is full of patterns inspired by pop … Read More...
Book Review: Mosaic Chart Directory for Knitting and Crochet
I’m a big fan of mosaic knitting, which is a way to make colorwork designs in two colors while knitting with only one strand of yarn at a time. You slip the stitches that show as the second color, and … Read More...
Learning about Denmark for Kids
When I write these nations of the world posts, I start by Googling the country, which usually leads me first to Wikipedia for basic facts. But the official website for the country came up just below, and I love the … Read More...
Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments
If you want to have a craft-filled tree, one great way to do that is to cover it with cross stitch ornaments. These little projects are usually pretty quick to stitch and fit into small hoops you can nestle into … Read More...
Christmas Amigurumi Knitting Patterns
A few years ago I did a post full of knit elves and gnomes to knit for Christmas, but there are a lot more options when it comes to Christmas knit amigurumi. Use these little characters as seasonal decor, … Read More...
Stitch a Pretty Poinsettia for Christmas
Poinsettias are a classic plant around Christmas thanks to their bright red and green coloring (though there are other shades, too). Did you know the English name for the plant comes from Joel Roberts Pontisett, who was the United States … Read More...