Kindness, Sharing, and Emma Rattray’s The Rug Bear

by Evin // September 22, 2020 // No Comments

It was a fun surprise when I was gifted a copy of Emma Rattray’s book The Rug Bear. We are really into bedtime reading (and afternoon reading) in our home, so new books quickly become favourites being toted from room-to-room... Continue reading →

Woman with green and amber multicolour eyes looking into camera with hand knit shawl held to her face. The yarn in the shawl matches her eyes.

School Gate Shawlette Knitting Pattern & Every Child Is Your Child Ireland

by Evin // September 19, 2020 // 2 Comments

The School Gate Shawlette was inspired by the ironwork openings and lattice textures of my son’s school gate. This pattern is a dedicated fundraiser for Every Child Is Your Child Ireland. Every cent from this sale of this pattern goes to ECIYC. There are... Continue reading →

Marking Down Memories in My Creativity Book

by Evin // September 17, 2020 // No Comments

When My Creativity Book came out, I saw it posted on @FitziesFood Instagram and fell in love with the bright illustrations and brilliant concept. Naturally, being a bibliophile, I had to have a copy for Optimus (8), but then he... Continue reading →

Interview with Michael Harrigan & where to buy his book Travel-inspired Knits

by Evin // September 15, 2020 // No Comments

If you’re an avid knitter, you may have already Michael Harrigan’s designs (Ravelry link) or eyed one with a plan to knit it. Completely understandable, I have felt that way too! I met Michael through the online knitting community and was... Continue reading →

Mushrooms – Good Things Come In Small Packages

by Evin // September 8, 2020 // No Comments

Mushrooms can so easily be overlooked in the grocery market. Not only are they small, but also a pale khaki color. At first glance, it makes you wonder who first thought of picking a mushroom from the dirt in a... Continue reading →

Beefy Comfort Food: Meatloaf, Burgers, and Shepherd’s Pie

by Evin // September 1, 2020 // 1 Comment

Nothing warms up a house like a hot oven and these three recipes are sure to do just that. Each recipe uses two pounds of ground beef in a different and delicious way. Of course, you can substitute ground turkey... Continue reading →

Berry coloured yarn knit in a shawl draped around a white dress form mannequin against a white wall.

I Want to Knit

by Evin // August 27, 2020 // No Comments

I have made several I Want To Knit lists before and it seems like each time it gets longer and longer. So many beautiful patterns and inspiring yarns and colorways…and only so much time to knit. This year’s list will repeat... Continue reading →

Interview with DesignsBySinéad

by Evin // August 25, 2020 // No Comments

Handcrafted can mean so many different things and represent a variety of methods and crafts, so I love when I encounter a combination of crafts in one talented maker. In this case, I’m talking about Sinéad O’Toole of DesignsBySinéad. You may... Continue reading →

Hooded sweatshirt with cat riding a rainbow-vomiting shark beside a periodic table of elements puzzle in a tube-shaped package.

Brilliant Things: Almost Everything We’ve Bought in 2020

by Evin // August 22, 2020 // No Comments

We bought a few new things this year and are loving them, so I thought I’d share a list of what we spent our money on in 2020, since you know it wasn’t travel or dining out. Really, this list... Continue reading →

Nurse with surgical face mask protecting herself against the 1918 flu epidemic

Reflecting on the Reality of the 1918 Flu

by Evin // August 21, 2020 // No Comments

This pandemic experience has brought my grandmother to my mind a lot. She lost her youngest brother to the 1918 flu, which was devastating. He was just a little older than my younger son is now. I now wonder what kind... Continue reading →

Wreath Nebula Mitts | Ultraviolet Knits | EvinOK

Ultraviolet Knits – Wreath Nebula Mitts

by Evin // August 20, 2020 // 1 Comment

Wreath Nebula Mitts There is something so satisfying about quick knits that are also soft and cosy. Using two colors of DK yarn, these mitts are knit flat, top down, and seamed up the side, leaving an opening for the... Continue reading →

Interview with TheHandmadeStudio.ie

by Evin // August 18, 2020 // No Comments

In the latest interview with a maker in my ongoing series, we learn about Sharon Murphy and her creations in The Handmade Studio.ie. Her handcrafted work brings together bespoke design and vibrant colors for original items you’ll love in your life.... Continue reading →

From Tide to Table: Preparing & Cooking Fresh Caught Fish

by Evin // August 15, 2020 // No Comments

In the summers when we first moved to Ireland, my husband would go sea fishing with his friends. He doesn’t eat fish, but I love it so brought me treats. One particular day, he returned with some Whiting, Cod, and... Continue reading →

Rigel Cowl and Rigel Mitts | Ultraviolet Knits | EvinOK

Ultraviolet Knits – Rigel Cowl & Rigel Mitts

by Evin // August 13, 2020 // No Comments

Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation of Orion. The star looks blue-white to the naked eye. The Rigel Cowl is knit from the top down, this cowl is soft and a fun way to use special buttons. The... Continue reading →

Make Ahead Vegan Tomato and Corn Salad for Picnics

Make Ahead Vegan Tomato & Corn Salad for a Picnic

by Evin // August 11, 2020 // No Comments

During the restrictions when we were self-isolating, I found myself relying more and more on the herbs grown on our balcony. My parsley and cilantro/coriander were inconsistent in their robustness, but the mint, chives, and scallions were always reaching for... Continue reading →

Porch Light Wrap | Ultraviolet Knits | EvinOK

Ultraviolet Knits – Porch Light Shawl

by Evin // August 6, 2020 // No Comments

Georsan modelled the shawl for these photos, Martina Leahy styled the outfits, and Niall Twamley was the photographer. You can access a list of all the UV Knits posts HERE! Porch Light Shawl The warm illumination of a porch light... Continue reading →

Falling Petals Shawl by Evin Bail OKeeffe shown in three colours and two yarn weights

Falling Petals Shawl – A Versatile Knit in Lace or 4ply Weight

by Evin // August 5, 2020 // No Comments

I designed Falling Petals Shawl in 2013 to showcase a semi-solid lace yarn for my first book, Bake Knit Sew (Anchor and Bee, 2014). Of course, that doesn’t limit the pattern, which works equally beautifully in 4ply/sock weight yarn. You’ll... Continue reading →

Interview with 2bOrganic

by Evin // August 4, 2020 // No Comments

I was delighted when Simone Nelson of 2bOrganic agreed to be interviewed for my blog. For the past year, I’ve been conducting and sharing interviews with small makers and artisans, you can read the other posts HERE. Simone and I first ‘met’ through... Continue reading →

Useful List of Shawl Knitting Patterns I’ve Designed – Great for Yarn Scraps and Mini Skeins

by Evin // August 3, 2020 // No Comments

We each have leftover partial skeins of yarn, mini skeins, or scraps. Their beauty just as admirable as when they were full skeins, but somehow feel less useful. Their purpose shifts because the weight isn’t a nice even 100g, but that... Continue reading →

Mini Skeins from Eve Chambers Textiles | EvinOK

Comprehensive List of Patterns to Use with Mini Skeins, Scraps & Yarn Calendar Sets

by Evin // August 2, 2020 // 2 Comments

We all have those mini skeins we treasure, smaller yardage balls, and are maybe even eyeing a hand-dyed mini skein set for a daily knitting project. When I dine out, I love a nice main course, but have you ever... Continue reading →