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...
Free 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...
Inside Out Cross Stitch Patterns
With the new Inside Out movie recently being released, I thought it would be a good time to stitch up some Inside Out cross stitch patterns. These characters are colorful and fun to stitch, and a great way to get … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Sam X Stitch
I usually pick my designer spotlights because something will catch my eye while I’m looking for cross stitch patterns to share with you, and I don’t always remember what when I get back to them.
In the case of Sam … Read More...
Make a Drop Stitch Scarf with a Circular Knitting Machine
When you first get a circular knitting machine there are a few classic projects that everyone seems to make, and one of them is a dropped stitch scarf.
It’s easy to see why, because this is a really simple project … Read More...
Make Multiplication Fun with Crafts and Games
I love sharing ways to make learning more fun, and when we can make learning things that kids have to learn a little more interesting, that’s always a good thing.
Multiplication is a vital math basic, but just memorizing multiplication … Read More...
How to Cross Stitch on Clothing
Many, many years ago when I was in 4-H, I remember making a quilt for our leader who was having a baby that included different green and white fabric and we cross stitched the 4-H clover onto some of the … Read More...
Who Did It Printables
Deductive reasoning is a super important skill of logic for kids to learn, but it’s not that easy to practice. It involves drawing logical conclusions based on the evidence or general ideas. One great way to practice with kids is … Read More...