I grew up with Mr. Wizard as my science icon on TV, and I still have a copy of his Supermarket Science book (my daughter was completely unimpressed).
Emily Calandrelli may be this generation’s Mr. Wizard. She an MIT engineer … Read More...
What Are Needle Minders and How Do You Use One?
One of the great things about cross stitching is that you can get started without a lot of supplies. Really just a bit of fabric, some embroidery floss and a needle are all that you need to try it out.… Read More...
Knit Yourself Some Sunshine with This Fun Shawl Knitting Pattern
Sometimes when I’m scrolling through Ravelry something will just catch my eye because it’s weird or pretty or fun or cheerful.
The Sun Sun Sun Shawl from Åsa Tricosa is definitely pretty and fun and cheerful.
It’s an asymmetrical triangle … Read More...
Animal-Inspired Sock Knitting Patterns
Admittedly this roundup of patterns is a little niche, but I was looking at colorwork sock knitting patterns and happened to find a lot that include animals or are inspired by animals, so why not take a walk on the … Read More...
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (or AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States, so it’s a great time to talk about how people from those parts of the world have shaped American history and culture.
AAPI Heritage Month began … Read More...
Cactus Cross Stitch Patterns
It’s the time of year when I can feel summer coming on even though we’re still firmly in springtime. It makes me want to start crafting projects with more of a summery feel to them, which is probably why I … Read More...
A Tank Top to Get You Thinking about Summer
I knew I wanted to share this particular knitting pattern with you (mostly because I really want to knit one, too) and I grappled with the idea of whether it was time to pull together a roundup of tank top … Read More...
Rainy Day Craft Projects for Kids
It’s said that April showers bring May flowers, but where I live the rainy season definitely isn’t over when April is. These crafts inspired by rainy days are great to make when the weather is awful, or they’re just cute … Read More...
Get Great Texture with the Ropes and Twines Cardigan Knitting Pattern
This is probably just a personal problem, but I always feel like cable patterns need to be knit in a solid color of yarn. If I’m going through all the work of making cables, I want them to be seen!… Read More...
Play with Color in the Pixel Tweed Pullover
A lot of times when I share knitting patterns that are meant to be colorful I will say something about how they would be good stash busters because you can change colors as often as you like or need to … Read More...
Spring Printable Learning Activities
I know it’s been spring for a little while already, but when the weather starts warming I feel like we should just keep celebrating that with all the spring activities and projects. These spring printables will give you some easy … Read More...
Easy Ways to Increase Stitches in Knitting
While many knitters will make a scarf or a washcloth as their first knitting project, once you have the basics down you might want to add some shaping. There are lots of different ways to increase (and decrease!) stitches in … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Goffin Design
Even though their patterns cover a wide range of seasons, holidays and motifs, there’s just something about the designs from Etsy seller Goffin Design that evokes spring to me.
The colors are bright, fresh and cheerful, whether they’re used to … Read More...
Add Some Simple Textures to Your Scarf
Earlier this year I designed a beginner’s sampler scarf knitting pattern that I thought would be a perfect first project for new knitters. It includes casting on, knitting, purling, changing between knit and purl in the same row, binding off, … Read More...
Learning about Azerbaijan for Kids
Azerbaijan is a small country that straddles the line between Europe and Asia and has been an independent republic since 1991.
Azerbaijan Basics
Azerbaijan is part of the south Caucasus region and is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, … Read More...
Another Way to Use Up All Your Sock Yarn Scraps
I feel like I’ve been writing a lot lately about projects that are made to use up all your scraps, or that could be adapted to use scraps, because they call for mini skeins and the like.
I have been … Read More...
Review: Knit a Box of Socks
The thing about sock knitting is, if it grabs you, it’s probably going to really grab you. I don’t know a lot of knitters who are mild-mannered when it comes to sock knitting. They either never knit socks, they’ve knit … Read More...
FAQs about Cross Stitch, Answered
One of the great things about cross stitch as a craft is that it doesn’t take a lot of skill or supplies to get started. You can make your first cross stitch patterns with a single color of thread, using … Read More...
Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
I know I’ve said this before, but baby blankets are my absolute favorite gifts to make for new little people.
They always fit, and they’re always useful. They’re great TV knitting because they often include allover patterns that repeat. And … Read More...
Mother’s Day Crafts Kids Can Make
As a crafty mom, I love the idea of Mother’s Day gifts that are made by the kids (though I stopped getting Mother’s Day presents from my kid when she aged out of making them at school). If you’re looking … Read More...