I feel like I haven’t shared many knitting machine patterns lately, probably because I haven’t been using my knitting machines much lately. (I finally made space for them to live on the bookshelf in my office, and now that they … Read More...
Activities for Teaching the Alphabet
Last month I shared some tips for teaching the alphabet to kids and why going in alphabetical order isn’t the best way to do it. Honestly a lot of learning at this age has to do with play, so let’s … Read More...
Bastille Day for Kids
When I was writing about France the other day, it occurred to me that Bastille Day was also coming up (July 14, to be precise), and I wasn’t sure that I had written about it before. On further digging I … Read More...
Eyelet and Mesh Sweaters to Keep Cool in Summer
Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering.
The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co… Read More...
Cross Stitch Creatures from the Sea
Last fall I came across this cross stitch pattern for a sea turtle and I talked myself out of sharing it right away because tropical animals don’t feel like a “fall” thing, but now that it’s summer again, let’s take … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Happy Sloth Patterns
You know a little bit what you’re in for when you see the header for the Etsy shop Happy Sloth Patterns, whose tagline is “dumb patterns made by an idiot human.” Which at least implies there’s no AI to be … Read More...
Crafts from the Beach Kids Can Make
Whenever you go to the beach with kids, you’re sure to come home with some seashells and more than a little sand. Let’s use some of those treasures to make fun crafts.
This handprint craft is made with a sand-infused … Read More...
Super Simple Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
While I was knitting this baby blanket, my husband was curious as to why I was knitting a baby blanket when there are no babies in the near future that we know of. (What we know is kind of relative … Read More...
Cross Stitch Cards for All Occasions
I have never stitched a greeting card, but I kind of like the idea of it. It’s a card and a gift all in one, and hopefully one the recipient will hang onto for years to come.
This collection of … Read More...
Book Review: The No-Brainer Brain Explainer
Human brains are pretty amazing, allowing us to think, feel, create, communicate, move and more. But humans aren’t the only animals with cool brains, as Crab Museum explains in the book The No-Brainer Brain Explainer (illustrated by Bruno Valasse).
This … Read More...
Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers
The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check … Read More...
Cross Stitch Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Summer is the time for sweet treats, whether eating them or stitching them. This collection of patterns is full of designs that are good enough to eat. Almost.
This year of ice creams from Simone Balman Art is lots of … Read More...
Shark Week Learning for Kids
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 Triangle 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...