I’ve been seeing a lot of knitting projects lately — whether they are new or older — that include elements that look like quilt blocks and I am here for it. My aunt is a quilter but I’ve never been … Read More...
Hold onto Summer with the Hipster Top Knitting Pattern
As I write this, summer is winding down and kids are going back to school, but I know that in a lot of the Northern Hemisphere it will still be warm for a long time, and it’s probably already getting … Read More...
Portal Cross Stitch Patterns
The other day I came across this collection of cross stitch patterns inspired by the video game Portal from sonovastitch and I just had to share them. They all include the companion cube from the game and different phrases like … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Tourmaline Pattern
The Ukrainian Etsy shop Tourmaline Pattern is the place for you if you like animal patterns with a lot of whimsy and a touch of snark.
You know it’s going to be good when the categories include things like ghosts, … Read More...
Review: Fishermen’s Knits from the Coast of Norway
Fishermen’s Knits from the Coast of Norway by Line Iversen and Margareth Sandfik is a history of the garments worn by Norwegian fishermen from the 1700s to the 1900s, as well as offering knitting patterns to re-create some of those … Read More...
Acorn Crafts for Kids
It seems like the squirrels are already getting all the acorns where I live, but if you can save some from them (not too many; they’ve got to eat, too!) you can make some fun acorn crafts. Whether you do … Read More...
Converting Photos to Cross Stitch
One of the questions I commonly hear from crafters, whether it’s related to cross stitch, knitting or crochet, is wondering how best to convert a photo or other image (like a logo) into a pattern that they can stitch.
I … Read More...
Book Review: Fall Feast
Learn how plants and animals spend fall getting ready for winter in this sweet picture book. Fall Feast: Nature’s Harvest by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss features a family going for a walk on a cool fall day and observing … Read More...
Knit a Vest with Cockatoo Charm
There’s something about projects with big, bold designs that makes me smile. Even if the subject matter isn’t necessarily something I’d want to commit to knitting, I appreciate the enthusiasm behind knitting an animal or your favorite food on a … Read More...
Tea Cross Stitch Patterns
It wasn’t intentional that I shared a coffee-related pattern in my latest designer spotlight and then had a collection of tea cross stitch patterns for my next post. But I imagine we could all use all the caffeine we can … Read More...
Knit a Lightweight Striped Sweater
One thing to know about me is that I love heavier weight yarns. It was only a couple of years ago I had never knit a sweater using yarn lighter that worsted weight (unless maybe it was for a baby … Read More...
Crochet Pattern- Waterproof Wind Spinner
Free Crochet Pattern – Waterproof Wind Spinner
Colorful crochet wind spinners are popular and easy to create but they can get weathered after exposure outside. Creating a wind spinner from Jelly Yarn offers a unique weather resistant feature since the … Read More...
Leaf Reading and Writing Activities
As kids go back to school it feels like fall even if it isn’t technically fall yet, and a great way to start the year or an early unit to have ready for when the leaves start to turn is … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: StudioHMP
Classic old world cross stitch designs and finished pieces are what you will find at Ukraine-based Etsy shop StudioHMP.
This designer has about 60 cross stitch designs as I write this, with an emphasis on classic samplers, florals, birds and … Read More...
Stitch Easy Cables on Fingerless Gloves
Cable knitting is one of the basic skills of knitting that I think everyone should try once or twice. So many beginning knitters think that cable knitting is hard, and while it can be challenging when there are lots of … Read More...
Learning about Benin for Kids
The Republic of Benin is a nation in West Africa that is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger and has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean.
The nation covers 44,310 square miles (114,763 square kilometers) and has a … Read More...
How and Why to Cross Stitch on Plastic Canvas
When I teach hand stitching to kids I always start them on plastic canvas because it’s stable and sturdy, there’s no question where your needle should go because the holes are big and obvious, and you don’t need a hoop … Read More...
Kids Dress Knitting Patterns
I read something recently that said that knit and crochet dresses are on trend this year, as well they should be. A little knit dress doesn’t have to be hot or heavy, and they’re pretty fun to knit. I’ve got … Read More...
Make a Lego Sundial
Kids are usually impressed by the idea that we can tell time using the sun, and making a sundial is a great summer activity that doesn’t have to involve being outside for too long (though it helps if you can … Read More...
Mirror Colors for a Fun Cardigan Knitting Pattern
I do love basic knitting patterns that don’t take a lot of thought to knit, things that are useful and wearable and get the job done without a lot of fuss, effort or knitting time.
But there are some relatively … Read More...