When I was little, I had a favorite blanket and my sister had a favorite pillow. Looking back, I think she had the right idea. While sometimes it was too hot for me to snuggle under my blankie, she was never without her pillow. She used her pillow everywhere, year-round – in the car, snuggling with mom, even a trip to the hospital when she had her tonsils out. Remembering how my sister loved her pillow, I designed the In A Pinch travel-sized pillow. Read on for details and a…

I’m loving the new, sharper tips on the Takumi double-pointed needles so much that I’ve been thinking about gifting them to some of the knitters in my life. I know I’d love receiving a set either by themselves, or bundled with some luscious yarn! Well, here we are barely into mid-summer, and I’m already pondering holidays — so this week, I thought I’d post a little (literally), “Christmas in July” gift idea that you can either start churning out in advance, or else bookmark for later. Stitch a wee stocking for a…

Brighten up your summer with fun, colorful flowers made with the simple and easy “Hana-Ami” Flower Stitch technique! Materials: Bag of your choosing (we used a bag with a basket weave for a summer look) Raffia Fabric Glue “Hana-Ami” Flower Loom Step 1: Refer to instructions included in “Hana-Ami” packaging to construct 14 large round flowers using the raffia in three contrasting colors. *Please note we used the double-layered flower pattern to get the look shown in the picture. Step 2: Plan an arrangement on your bag this will be…

Most fabric bags or totes for kids are rather wimpy. I remember putting toys and books in fabric bags for my boys, but the parts and pieces would often get lost in the bottom of the bag. After buying adorable finger puppets for my granddaughters, I knew they needed a home in an activity bag. Kids Activity Bag Fabrics/supplies: Four fat-quarters for the project. 3/8 yard of craft interfacing such as Pellon® Peltex® 2 yards of 1/4″ or 3/8″ grosgrain ribbon Flex ‘n Glide Bodkins Fold two fat quarters, meeting the short edges and…

Congratulations to the winners of the Press Perfect Giveaway by Joan Hawley!!!!! 2×4 Mighty Mini Board Kathy E. Iron Shine Cleaning Pen Judy S. Debi T.

You already love it: choosing your favorite fiber in colors that speak to you; deciding on a project that expresses your vision; casting on a string of possibilities; working individual stitches which ultimately become something beautiful. If you read this blog, then chances are that knitting is your passion. That doesn’t mean, however that it’s not work. It is, and arguably the best kind. Even so, though we knitter’s can occasionally use a helping hand (or two) in the form of tools which make the intricacies of our craft a little less, fussy — handy…

Have you ever had a tool or notion that was so essential you couldn’t imagine going without it? I can think of plenty in my tool box that fit that bill. Today I want to tell you about the 2×4 Mighty Mini Board and a giveaway! Small Size, Big Features The 2×4 Mighty Mini Board is chock full of features and design considerations. Want to know what I told Clover when we talked about creating a small board? I said I want it all. After having owned a number of…

It’s official: school’s out for Summer. For those of us with kids, that means a loooong few months of taxiing, playdating, and otherwise looking for something, anything to keep our offspring occupied. Well, my parental friends, there’s no time like the present to get them crafting — and what says, “Summer Camp crafts” more than making a pot holder? Well, perhaps a lanyard, but humor me. This week I thought I’d post a project that had a little something for most ages of children. Thrifting for t-shirts can be done…