One of the potential problems with colorwork knitting, at least when it comes to stranded or Fair Isle styles of knitting, is that you don’t always want to have the back of the work on display. Other knitters will appreciate … Read More...
Encouraging Self Care for Kids
July 24 is Self Care Day, and it’s really important for us as parents and teachers to help our kids understand what self-care is and how to develop those habits early on in life. It’s not about literally taking care … Read More...
What Are We Making This Time of Year?
I’ve been writing about knitting for a long time (on this site and others, more than 15 years!), so I can tell you that it seems like people don’t knit as much when it’s hot outside. This based on pageviews, … Read More...
Printable Insect Activities for Kids
It might be too hot and buggy where you live to go outside and observe real insects, but these printable insect activities are lots of fun for those kids who are really into bugs.
This little printable insect book from … Read More...
Play with Cables and Lace in this Wrap Knitting Pattern
You already know I have cables on the brain from my post the other day about making cables without a cable needle. It’s funny that when you start thinking about a particular genre of knitting you start to see … Read More...
More Fun Sampler Style Cross Stitch Patterns
I recently shared some fun birth announcement cross stitch patterns, as well as talking about a designer who reproduces historic sampler designs.
This post is sort of a mashup of those two, highlighting the designs from Cherry Lane … Read More...
Knitting Patterns to Use Your Leftover Super Bulky Yarn
Whether you have random single skeins of yarn or leftovers from other projects, it can sometimes be hard to figure out what to do with small amounts of yarn. If you’re looking to use up your stash of super bulky … Read More...
Easy Summer Crafts for Kids to Make
In my house we have always relied on craft projects to get us through the summer (or any other time, let’s be honest). My daughter is 13 now and the projects have changed from making rainbow loom bracelets and perler … Read More...
Signature Needle Arts Closing Its Doors
I’m a few days behind on this news, but per their Facebook page, Signature Needle Arts has begun the process of closing down.
Owner Cathy says she recently retired from Bothe Associates (the machine shop that made the needles) … Read More...
Sweet Sun Hat Knitting Patterns
I don’t really like wearing hats, but my husband wears his sun hat all the time, even when we’re just going on a quick walk around the neighborhood. I know I should wear one, too, but maybe I just need … Read More...
Hot Dog Cross Stitch Patterns
July 19 is apparently National Hot Dog Day (though it seems like it should be July 4th, what do I know?) but stitching up some hot dog cross stitch patterns is a great thing to do any time during the … Read More...
Activities for Learning about the Ocean
Learning about the ocean is always fun, but it’s a nice thing to do in the summer, especially if you have any vacations to the beach planned. But even if you don’t, these ocean animal activities are lots of fun … Read More...
How to Cable without a Cable Needle
I’ve been working on a lot of cable knitting projects lately, which is not something I normally do. I don’t know why, but I don’t typically use a lot of cables in my designs or choose to knit things that … Read More...
In Law Chaser Hat Knitting Pattern
I know you’re probably wondering where in the world the name for this hat knitting pattern from Jennifer Berg came from. You know when it looks like it’s going to rain or snow, but you end up only getting a … Read More...
Printable Cross Stitch Graph Paper
If you want to design your own cross stitch patterns, there are a couple of different ways to go about it. If you’re starting with a picture or a logo using a program online where you can upload the image … Read More...
Stitch Historic Samplers from Fox and Rabbit Designs
I came across Fox and Rabbit Designs recently, and while they have a variety of cross-stitch designs to choose from, what most interested me when looking through their website is the patterns that are reproductions of sampler patterns first stitched … Read More...
Easy Musical Instruments for Kids to Make
Making your own musical instruments is a lot of fun and something that some kids will do on their own without prompting. But these ideas for musical instruments that kids can make will inspire you and them to make music … Read More...
Knit a Pretty, Lacy Skirt
I have knit just about every kind of thing it’s possible to knit, but I have never knit a skirt. (I have knit a dress, and a tunic that’s probably long enough to be considered a dress.)
If I were … Read More...
Book Review: Knitted Wild Animal Friends
Sweet stuffed animals turn a little less wild in this cute book full of patterns for animals along with clothing and accessories.
Knitted Wild Animal Friends by Louise Crowther features patterns for 12 different animals, as well as a closet … Read More...
Book-Themed Bookmark Cross Stitch Patterns
I know I’ve shared a lot of bookmark cross stitch patterns before. I love them because they’re small and usually pretty easy projects that are useful, too. They’re great for beginners and make great gifts for book lovers along with … Read More...