Category Archives: knitting

Hand-Dyed Yarn for Handmade Toys

Using hand-dyed yarn for handmade toys is a true gift. After reading this post you will not only fall in love with Timbercreek Farm, but find that hand-dyed yarn doesn’t have to bust the budget. I’m also sharing some yarny gifts all the way from Holland and a new Nativity Crochet-a-Long from Crochet To Play.

I was having a particularly tough day last month. Missing my son who had left for college and feeling weary from everything 2020 has thrown at us all.

I was surprised to find not one, but TWO packages sitting on my front porch.

I was expecting the one from a farm in Maryland, but the other had traveled all the way from Holland and was a total surprise.

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Knitted bunny and basket

Knitted Toy Accessories & What I’m Loving Now

Knitting Little Cotton Rabbits patterns just got a little better. Julie Williams has done it again and created a new collection of knitted toy accessories for all of us addicted to bunny-knitting.

The new knitted toy bags, baskets and backpacks from Little Cotton Rabbits are the hottest new accessories for all fashionable bunnies.

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Ultimate Knitting Toys Resource

In the Ultimate Knitting Toys Resource post I will share my favorite resource for all things toy knitting. I have never found something quite so comprehensive and I think you are going to find it a gold mine of information as well as inspiration.

The Ultimate Knitting Toys Resource is disguised as an ordinary, albeit adorable, pattern book. Based on the cover, you would expect to only find knitted patterns of animals like a mouse, a fox, and a dog. While you will definitely discover those, there is so much more to Knitted Animal Friends by Louise Crowther.

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Knitted Owl |Local Yarn Shop | Answering Your Questions

For the past seventeen years my family and I have spent one week on Edisto Island in South Carolina. And this year I worked on a brand new knitted owl project, visited an adorable local yarn shop and answered a few knitting and crocheting questions from Instagram.

I hope you find this little hodge-podge of a post helpful in some way, even if it’s just a distraction from the daily grind. It’s a mishmash of warm Atlantic waves, a quaint historic town, a knitted owl and answered questions.

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Knitted bunny with green cowl.

Jetkat Knitted Bunny Pattern Review and Toy-Making Pep Talk

In my Jetkat Knitted Bunny Pattern Review I share all about this challenging, but delightful project. There are definitely positives and negatives. I not only learned a few new knitting techniques, but I created a toy that I shall cherish forever.

You know the feelings….intimidation, frustration, indignation. But slowly those emotions begin to morph into hope, optimism and finally confidence. I regularly experience this combination of mental states while knitting or crocheting toys. And time and time again I’ve learned to never judge a project at the beginning.

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Should You Crochet or Knit? Take the Quiz!

Should you crochet or knit? That is the question. Take the short quiz to find out which hobby would be better suited for you!

Have you joined the masses of people who have become interested in handicrafts from earlier generations? Does the word handmade make your heart flutter with excitement? If the answer to one or both of these questions is yes, have I got the craft for you! Take the quiz below to find out if you should crochet or knit. I promise not to give you a bad grade.

In a recent article from the New York Times titled, People Have Gone Full 1800s, folks are returning to their roots in unexpected ways. People are putting down the screens and picking up the pastimes their grandparents’ generation enjoyed. Knitting and crocheting are experiencing a wonderful resurgence and you may be wondering if either of these is the hobby for you.

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Favorite Knit & Crochet Projects for Easter

These knit & crochet projects for Easter are just about the cutest things I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Bunnies and carrots are symbolic of the season and I believe these patterns are the best of the best.

This Easter is going to look quite a bit different than every other one I’ve ever celebrated. I’ve come to accept that. But doggone it, I’m still going to enjoy one of my favorite holidays. I’m going to make deviled eggs, eat chocolate and put a big smile on my face. And these adorable knit & crochet Easter projects are sure to bring a smile to YOUR face.

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How to Design Knitted Colorwork Charts

How to Design Knitted Colorwork Charts is a guide to creating your very own fair isle designs. The process couldn’t be easier and the best part is that it’s completely free.

I’m about to blow your mind. In the best way possible, that is. Designing your own knitted colorwork charts is so simple and So. Much. Fun. And not only that, it’s completely free! I mean, come on! There’s nothing better than fun and free!

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Stranded Knitting for Beginners

Stranded knitting for beginners is a true guide for the novice. If you can cast on, knit and purl, then you can create gorgeous colorwork knits. I will share a little rhyme I created and teach you how to read colorwork charts. You’ll be knitting fair isle sweaters in no time!

If you have never tried stranded knitting before, you are in for a treat, dear friend. This technique looks incredibly complicated, but I assure you it is not. It takes time to become comfortable with colorwork, but once you are the possibilities are endless. And stay tuned for next week when I share how you can design your own colorwork patterns for free!

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10 Ways to Stop Pain from Crocheting and Knitting

Pain from crocheting and knitting is more common that I ever knew. Neglecting to address the problem doesn’t help, but I have actionable steps that will. From icing, to dry needling, to CBD oil, I’ve combined all the tricks that have helped me heal from serious tendinitis into one post.

I tried ignoring the pain for months. Pretending it wasn’t a big deal and wishing it would go away weren’t working for me anymore. When I finally walked through the door to my orthopedic doctor’s office I was in constant pain. I was so afraid that he would tell me I needed to stop crocheting and knitting. Thankfully he didn’t and I’m going to share the strategies he gave me (and a few of my own) that helped me to heal.

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