I will fully and openly admit to being the sort of cross stitcher who starts her threads with a knot. I don’t usually care what the back of my work looks like, and I don’t need to it be perfectly … Read More...
Knitting Patterns to Use Your Bulky Yarn Stash
Last month I shared a big collection of knitting patterns to use leftover super bulky yarn (or a single skein that’s been lurking in your stash), and now I’m back with ideas for using little bits of bulky yarn. Whether … Read More...
Tips for Knitting with Linen Yarn
I’m sure I’ve knit with linen yarn before, but I can’t think of any projects I’ve made with it. I think I made a market bag once with a linen blend, and I have enough linen in my stash to … Read More...
Labor Day Activities for Kids
Labor Day in the United States is generally just thought of as the last big summer holiday before we dive into back to school activities (though plenty of kids are back to school already) but there’s an important meaning behind … Read More...
Another Great Sock Yarn Shawl Knitting Pattern
I recently shared a whole collection of one-skein (or so) sock yarn shawl knitting patterns, but of course there are always more options available or being published all the time.
Here’s another great option for your fine and super … Read More...
Fall Gnome Cross Stitch Patterns
I’m not quite ready to dive into Halloween cross stitch patterns, though I know it will be time for that really soon! To start the transition to fall in the Northern Hemisphere, how about some fall themed gnome cross stitch … Read More...
Cross Stitch Patterns with Homespun Elegance
I’ve been choosing cross stitch pattern designers kind of at random to feature here from a list I found online, but it seems like a lot of the ones I’ve been choosing feature a lot of designs with a historic … Read More...
Geocaching with Kids
August 19 is National Geocaching Day, but we’re heading into a great time of year throughout the world for geocaching. If you’ve never done it, or never heard of it, geocaching is like a big outdoor treasure hunt. People place … Read More...
What’s Your Favorite Thing You’ve Ever Knit?
I’m not sure this is a question I could answer, but what’s your favorite thing you’ve ever knit?
One of my favorites is definitely the Color Belt Sweater (Ravelry link) from my Colorwork Knitting book, because I’d had … Read More...
Hold onto Summer with a Beach Hut Cushion
This is one of those projects I could see people in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere getting behind right now.
If you’re in the part of the world where summer is ending soon, you might want to … Read More...
Get to Know Herringbone Stitch
There are several different knitting stitch patterns known as herringbone stitch, but the one I most commonly think of when I think of herringbone is the horizontal herringbone stitch. If you don’t know this one you can check it out … Read More...
Tips to Prepare Your Cross Stitch Fabric
I am going to be really honest here and tell you that I’ve never really done anything to prepare my cross stitch fabric before I start stitching (unless it’s a big project and I need a grid, but I … Read More...
Goal Setting for the New School Year
My daughter just started eighth grade, and as kids get older, I think it’s important to talk about their goals for the year in terms of learning, friendships, hobbies and more.
This can be done informally at home, or in … Read More...
Knit the Perfect Argyle Cardigan
Confession time: I have had the yarn to knit an argyle vest for longer than my daughter (who is about to be 14) has been alive.
It’s a pattern from the book Picture Perfect Knits by Laura Birek, which came … Read More...
The Key to Understanding How Knitting Works
I love sharing educational information about knitting with you all. Sometimes I write it, and sometimes I find good posts from other people to share. This time it’s sharing a post that gets really deep into what is happening when … Read More...
Teacher Cross Stitch Patterns for Back to School
You might not want to stitch up a teacher cross stitch pattern for the first day of school to give to your new teacher, but if you start on these now they’ll be ready for the holiday season or whenever … Read More...
Combine Lines and Texture in This Shawl Knitting Pattern
It feels like shawl season is just around the corner, so that must mean that shawl knitting season is already here! I love shawls that are relatively easy to knit but still include some fun techniques and details that make … Read More...
Games for the Beginning of School
Those first few days of school are not days for getting a lot done. They’re for getting to know each other, learning classroom rules, and getting back into the groove of being in a classroom all day long.
So why … Read More...
Easy Back to School Activities for the First Day of School
While this feels like it has been the longest summer ever (thanks to weeks of 100-degree-plus temperatures), it always kind of takes me by surprise when it’s back to school time. The good news is a lot of smart people … Read More...
Stitch Samplers and Other Historic Inspired Designs
I’m back with another look at a cross stitch designer I’ve learned about from wandering around online. This one is The Elegant Thread, which features a fun collection of samplers and other historic inspired cross stitch designs.
And a couple … Read More...