St. Patrick’s Day always sneaks up on me. We do a few fun things around here (corned beef and cabbage! Weird leprechaun pranks!), but it’s a pretty laid back holiday and not one we spend days preparing for or anything. So there have been times when, at 8pm March 16, I’ve realized that one of […]
My Hat Trick (a Fair Isle Knitting Binge)
I finally did it. I conquered my fear of fair isle knitting and now I’m hooked. This seems to happen a lot with yarn work. When I mastered granny squares last year, I spent months crocheting the heck out of them. Granny square coasters. Granny square pillows. Granny square afghans.
Easy Knitting Patterns — Popcorn Baby Blanket
I do love knitting baby blankets. They’re generally easy knitting patterns, but it’s fun to watch them develop as you knit up the blanket. And you don’t have to worry much about them fitting. I actually began this one without a baby to knit it for. Certainly, there are none around here, nor will there […]
Homemade Christmas Gifts
I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. I do NOT make presents for everyone on my Christmas list. Good heavens. It’s easy to see articles suggesting recipes and patterns and ideas for homemade Christmas gifts and to assume these people make all their presents. And maybe some of them do. Most of us make […]
DIY Halloween Costumes
(This post contains affiliate links) I think the kids have decided what they want to be for Halloween already. We’re DIY Halloween Costume People — I’m too cheap to buy costumes, so things must be made or foraged from around the house here. Last year, we went with a family theme…and it kills me that […]
The Rainbow Sweater
Every year, before our summer road trip, I take all the kids to pick out yarn for fall and winter sweaters. And it cracks me up because you can see each one of their personalities in what they pick. One insists on Purple Sparkly yarn…made into a dress not a sweater, naturally. One doesn’t really care and will […]
Knitting a Purple Dress
Before we leave on a road trip, I always take the kids to pick out some special snacks and a new (or new-to-them-thrift-store) book. Then I take them to help me pick out yarn. Because long days on the road, and long, lazy days at the beach when we get there mean lots of knitting […]
Knit Bow Ties and Hair Bows
Bow ties and hair bows! Maybe it’s spring…maybe it’s the passing of Easter, with kids all dressed up and fancy…I don’t know, but I’m in a bow-making mood. I love that these can be adapted for boys or girls, depending on the color and the fastener. I put a pin on the back of the […]
A Chunky Cable Knit Sweater
I am, quite possibly, the only person in Colorado hoping for one more good snow. Because I finally finished this cable knit sweater for my oldest. My goal is to make each of the kids a new sweater every winter, but the older they get, the longer it takes to finish one. I finished a […]
Knit Sweaters for Sisters
Last summer, I knit my older daughter a Spring T. It’s only taken me eight months to make a matching one for her sister. I like knitting short-sleeved shirts because they can be layered and worn all year long. A good, light wool sweater keeps one surprisingly warm. And — bonus — they knit up rather quickly. […]