Amigurumi Adoption Kit: Make a Memory, Not Just a Toy

Each Amigurumi Adoption Kit contains a printable adoption certificate, matching gift tags and a Keepsake Letter. Get the Amigurumi Adoption Kit and make a memory, not just a toy.

When you crochet or knit a toy, you’re giving someone a piece of yourself, metaphorically speaking of course.

Each time you weave in those ends, you are weaving in a little bit of your heart.

While toymaking is a labor intensive process, it rarely requires us to shed blood, sweat and tears. That’s not necessarily true, I’ve definitely shed my fair share of tears during a project.

Continue reading →

The Best Knitted Toy Patterns for Beginners

Looking for a curated list of the best knitted toy patterns for beginners? Check out these adorable designs with links for where to find them all.

It can be frustrating to find beautiful knitted toy patterns only to discover that they are for more advanced knitters.

Maybe you’ve been looking for beginner designs but don’t even know where to start.

Well today is your lucky day, friend, because I’ve been on the hunt for the very best knitted toy patterns for beginners and I believe I have found them for you.

Just a note of caution: Knitting Toys can become addictive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, lol.

Continue reading →

What’s in My Craft Tote? |Mollie Ollie Caddy Review

In this craft tote review, you will find an honest opinion about the Mollie Ollie Caddy. Is it good for crafters? How much yarn will it fit? It is sturdy and well made? Find the answers to all of these questions and get your 10% off coupon before it’s gone.

It’s a known fact that crocheters love craft totes and project bags. And I am no exception to that rule.

We love toting around our projects in cute bags and caddies.

But craft totes can’t just be cute for us serious crocheters and knitters, they must be functional and well made.

Continue reading →

7 Tips for Knitting the Wild Rabbit Pattern by Dot Pebbles (Number 3 is a Game Changer)

Discover the magical world of Dot Pebbles, full of knitted flora and fauna designs. This is a challenging project for sure, but I’ve got 7 tips for knitting the Wild Rabbit pattern to help you make this realistic knitted bunny.

My first impression of wild rabbits was when my grandmother read Watership Down.

I can still see the cover of the popular book and how much she enjoyed the trials and triumphs of a warren of rabbits living in southern England.

In the late spring we see a lot of wild bunnies in our neck of the woods and Jersey-boy (our rescue dog) loves watching them hop and scurry at lightning speed.

I’m sure he hopes to catch one or two, but I think he’s finally realizing that his old legs are no match for those swift wild hares.

Continue reading →
Crochet & Knitting Therapy

Crochet & Knitting Therapy: Crafting in the Hospital

When a planned hospital stay turned into an unexpected health emergency, crochet & knitting became my therapy. Find the projects that helped me cope during an incredibly stressful time.

We knew that our son was going to be in the hospital for about a week.

What we didn’t know was that within 48 hours he would be transferred from the epilepsy monitoring unit to the cardiac floor at Duke University Hospital.

Having two crafting projects to work on helped me stay calm when everything was anything but.

Continue reading →

7 Best FREE Granny Square Patterns

There are a lot of FREE Granny Square Patterns on the internet, but these are the absolute best (in my humble opinion). Find links to each one of these beautiful crochet patterns and be inspired to start your next project.

Who doesn’t love a free crochet pattern? I know I do.

The trouble is that there are a lot of free patterns out there on the interwebs, as the kids would say, but not all of them are exactly what you’re looking for.

But when I want to find a new project, I need something that inspires me and I believe each one of these seven FREE granny square patterns checks all the boxes.

Continue reading →

Are Mary Jane’s Tearoom Knitted Toy Patterns Easy?

In Are Mary Jane’s Tearoom Knitted Toy Patterns Easy?, you will find the answer to this question, discover the magical world of this talented designer, learn what skills you need to make these toys and find the yarns I used for my own teddy bear.

Teddy bears occupy a very special place in my heart.

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved my own grandmother’s teddy bear collection. She didn’t have a large hoard of toys, but a small gathering of mostly handmade characters.

Each one is full of personality and I display them each Christmas above my antique piano. It’s a symbol of a simpler and sweeter time.

Continue reading →
Yarn over vs yarn under

Yarn Over vs Yarn Under for Amigurumi

In Yarn Over vs Yarn Under for Amigurumi you will learn how to do both single crochet techniques. But more importantly, discover which one is right for your amigurumi projects.

Are you team Yarn Over or team Yarn Under for crocheting toys?

Before last week, I had never tried the yarn under technique.

I had been taught to single crochet by yarning over and I am a big rule follower. Because of that I was never tempted to venture into unknown territory, that is until recently.

Continue reading →

Merry Christmas to All the Makers

Have you ever had a penpal?

When I was in fifth grade, our school started a program to pair kids from Ft. Worth, Texas, with students from around the world.

I didn’t know anything about Finland when I began sending my letters to a mysterious young girl named, Anika. All I could imagine about her is that she was always surrounded by snow.

Continue reading →
How to Choose Yarn Colors Online

How to Choose the Perfect Yarn Colors Online

Choosing yarn colors online can be a daunting task. In How to Choose the Perfect Yarn Colors Online you will find helpful tips when shopping for your next project. Find the best color combinations with these free online tools from the comforts of your very own home.

I found the perfect Christmas gift for my mother who is brand new to crocheting.

She is enjoying learning all the basic stitches and I’m quite impressed because she is defying the old adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” She’s seventy-two and not afraid to tackle something totally unfamiliar.

I hope I’m like that at her age.

Continue reading →