Learning and Loving my Strickplaner

by Evin // January 18, 2018 // 2 Comments

Knitters and knitting designers know what it takes to stay organised in the face of numerous projects, so when Martina Behm designed her own calendar planner the knitting world took notice. In its inaugural year, the Strickplaner has a crisply... Continue reading →

Gold Award for Best Personal Arts & Crafts Blog in Ireland 2017 | EvinOK

What 2017 Means To Me

by Evin // January 16, 2018 // 2 Comments

I like resolutions, but they can happen any time, but I do love the start of a new year to make a plan or set some goals, but also reflect on the previous year. And though I’ve not posted this... Continue reading →

Delicate pieces of filet mignon & mushrooms simmered in a delicious creamy Cashel bleu Calvados sauce tossed with fresh penne pasta.

Blue Cheese & Mushroom Cream Sauce over Pasta with Seared Steak

by Evin // January 11, 2018 // No Comments

Back in the Silicon Valley, we used to frequent an Italian restaurant called Frankie, Johnny & Luigi Too that served the most delectable Mostacioli di Bari. The name itself basically means it is the ziti dish from the Province of Bari (near the... Continue reading →

All the Brilliant Things We Rely on as Parents

by Evin // January 9, 2018 // 2 Comments

Disclosure: I use Amazon.co.uk Affiliate links this blog post. These are items I would recommend otherwise. Only the Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links. Though the Amazon.com links appear to be affiliate links, I closed that account and receive no credit... Continue reading →

What My Elf Sent Me – Knitmas 2017

by Evin // December 28, 2017 // No Comments

It’s time for another Knitmas post. The third in my 2017 series. The first post was about how I took my downstream elf’s wish list and approached it from a crafty and budget-minded perspective then the second post was about the... Continue reading →

Rustic and Handmade Garden-themed Gifts – Knitmas 2017

by Evin // December 26, 2017 // No Comments

This year, the Knitmas gift I created had a decidedly rustic feel. The elf whose name I drew loves creating with her hands, from jewelry to gardening to knitting, so I wanted to give her things to help her achieve that.... Continue reading →

Taking Wish List Ideas to a Real Life Budget – Knitmas 2017

by Evin // December 21, 2017 // No Comments

In this post, I’m hoping to explain how to take wish list concepts and ideas to a budget-minded reality with some handcrafting and strategic shopping. Because sometimes our generous spirits do not always match our bank accounts, but with ingenuity... Continue reading →

All I Want for Christmas…

by Evin // December 20, 2017 // No Comments

There are so many gifts I enjoy year-round, like my children and my health, but come Christmas there is something that needs to be put in wrapping paper. It shows my boys that everyone receives gifts, not just them, and... Continue reading →

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

by Evin // December 19, 2017 // No Comments

For a homemade gift if you’re not a knitter, sewer, or crafty sort, there is always assembling something in a creative way. Fill Mason jars of hot chocolate mix for an insanely easy and special mix. For added charm, get... Continue reading →

Button Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial

by Evin // December 14, 2017 // No Comments

One of the easiest Christmas crafts I know is also a fun one to do with kids or friends – button Christmas tree ornaments! It’s so easy, Tiger sells a kit. I have made them a few times, so these photos... Continue reading →

Wham Bam Thank You Lamb Neckwarmer | EvinOK

Last-minute Knitting Gift: The ‘Wham Bam Thank You Lamb’ Neckwarmer

by Evin // December 12, 2017 // No Comments

There are some patterns that are the perfect starter project for a new knitter or ideal as a last-minute knitting gift – and the ‘Wham Bam Thank You Lamb‘ (WBTYL) neck warmer is just that. You can access the pattern on Ravelry... Continue reading →

non acrylic vegan yarns for knitting and crochet | EvinOK

A List of Vegan Yarns for Knitting and Crochet

by Evin // December 7, 2017 // 8 Comments

If you’re here, you want to seek out vegan yarn for your crafting or a gift. Sourcing vegan yarn has become simpler in recent years with animal fibre allergies and ethical approaches to animal welfare. But when I looked for a master... Continue reading →

5 Creative Gift Ideas, Tips & a Bunny with a Moustache

by Evin // December 5, 2017 // No Comments

Today, I am sharing a guest post from my friend Natina Norton, who happens to be a talented artist and creator. Need a pressie for him, for her, or just want something a little out of the ordinary? Here’s a... Continue reading →

Great Knitting Books This Year and Where to Buy Bake Knit Sew & These Islands

by Evin // December 4, 2017 // No Comments

Christmas season is upon us and I’ve had a few friends ask where to buy my books, Bake Knit Sew and These Islands, but also ask me what books are on my Christmas wish list. I love books and learning new things... Continue reading →

Benchspace: Woodworking for Social Stress Relief and Creative Expression

by Evin // November 30, 2017 // 1 Comment

This past Saturday, I participated in a fun woodworking session at Benchspace, a local woodworking workshop in Cork city’s Marina center. It was luck that I was contacted by David Scannell who invited me to be part of it. After being sick... Continue reading →

Curly Wurly Gluten-free Brownies from a Boxed Mix | EvinOK

Quick and Easy Curly Wurly Gluten-free Brownies

by Evin // November 28, 2017 // No Comments

The hectic holiday season is approaching at full speed. We survived last year (and Thanksgiving if you celebrate it) with maybe just a broken casserole dish, but now we most get ready again. This is when the final cleanup is... Continue reading →

Super Chunky Knit Cowl for Knitmas | EvinOK

Mulled Cranberry Cowl – Knitmas 2015

by Evin // November 23, 2017 // No Comments

Last year, I shared a post about the Knitmas gift exchange and what I made for ALifeOfHerOwn in 2015. I briefly mentioned the Mulled Cranberry Cowl, but wanted to go into the process of knitting it in more detail after... Continue reading →

Tiny Granny Square Afghan

by Evin // November 21, 2017 // No Comments

Marseille never shies away from a challenge, so when she considered what to make for the 2015 Anne Arundel County Fair, she settled on a tiny granny square afghan of her own design. She created it entirely with sock yarn... Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Dressing and Stuffin Muffins | EvinOK

Recipe for My Mom’s Baked Thanksgiving Dressing Balls, aka Stuffin’ Muffins

by Evin // November 14, 2017 // 2 Comments

Holiday meals evoke different memories for different people, but nearly every memory has something to do with the meal itself. Whether you prefer turkey to ham or are all about the tofurkey, my Mom’s Baked Thanksgiving Dressing Balls, aka Stuffin’... Continue reading →

Kool-Aid Dyed Wool Scarf, Eight Years Later

by Evin // November 9, 2017 // No Comments

Eight years ago, I wanted to make a simple scarf for my mom that would be warm and cosy, so I chose a natural undyed Irish wool and used a Kool-Aid to custom-dye in a variety of lavender and plummy pink shades.... Continue reading →