Make Do and Mend: Phoenix Crayons

by Evin // September 24, 2014 // No Comments

We’ve all seen it on Pinterest and wondered what parent has time to melt down crayon bits to create a new crayon. Well, I managed to find the time. Yes, I’m still a bit surprised it happened. And it was easy!... Continue reading →

The Comfort of Handknit Socks

by Evin // September 22, 2014 // No Comments

I love fun socks and this makes sock knitting ideally suited for me. Yet, I don’t knit socks yet. Maybe it is just because I’ve been focusing my knitting on baby gifts for so long, but for whatever reason socks... Continue reading →

Making the Most of 39 Hours in Amsterdam

by Evin // September 21, 2014 // 4 Comments

We are visiting The Netherlands this week, so I am sharing this post about our last visit there back in 2012. This isn’t a play on the NY Times series titled 36 Hours in… but the actual time we spent on a stopover in... Continue reading →

Real Can Be The Key to Fun Imaginary Play

by Evin // September 19, 2014 // No Comments

When my son turned 18 months old, a key turned in his brain and he began noticing keys. Instead of buying a plastic set for him and acknowledging he was quickly moving out of the everything-in-his-mouth phase, I decided to... Continue reading →

Handmade Upcycled Child’s Play Kitchen

by Evin // September 12, 2014 // 2 Comments

It started with an idea for LB’s second birthday which grew to a collaboration and, finally, a creation. I wanted to make my son a play kitchen. The timeline was moved up just after his first birthday when I learned I... Continue reading →

2014 Irish Big Knit

by Evin // September 11, 2014 // 2 Comments

Before leaping into this post, I want to say that September 11th will always be a difficult day. 13 years later, I’m still not ready to talk about it. So today I thought I would focus on something positive and... Continue reading →

Make Do and Mend: Ladybirds Instead of a Zipper

by Evin // September 8, 2014 // 1 Comment

Some may say I’m a hoarder. I feel I see potential in things that others view as trash. I definitely wouldn’t classify these items as treasure…yet, but after I get to them sometimes they are treasured. My father and Grandma... Continue reading →

Making Your Own Stitch Markers

by Evin // August 25, 2014 // 4 Comments

Stitch markers are one of those things you don’t realize you’re missing until you need them for a knitting (or crochet) project and such is the case with me. Whether you are knitting something with several increases or decreases, marking where... Continue reading →

Quick & Easy Union Square Spiced Nuts

by Evin // August 21, 2014 // No Comments

There is a place in New York where the bar nuts are so good, they’ve won an award! Not just an award, but a cookbook too (The Union Square Cafe Cookbook: 160 Favorite Recipes from New York’s Acclaimed Restaurant is... Continue reading →

Christmas Craft Workshop: Handmade Gift Ideas

by Evin // August 20, 2014 // No Comments

I am making nearly all of my gifts this year and isn’t as crazy as you may imagine. Hence the Christmas Craft Workshop posts you see here. You could knit, sew, paint, or carve your loved ones something special, often... Continue reading →

Hello, Mr. Roboto Man, Let’s Craft

by Evin // August 19, 2014 // No Comments

My friend Suzi LOVES quirky things, including robots and when I saw these patterns, I thought of her, which is always a happy thing to do. You may recall hearing about Suzi before in this post and this post and this post. She’s totally... Continue reading →

Christmas Craft Workshop: Victorian Beaded Ornament Covers

by Evin // August 15, 2014 // No Comments

Having always had a fondness for Victorian Christmases, my friend Carlota was drawn to the delicately beaded ornament covers while at a Charles Dickens fair. Now, before going on about the ornaments, can I just comment how cool an idea... Continue reading →

Fish-shaped Chalkboard Decal Accents on IKEA Rast Dressers

by Evin // August 12, 2014 // No Comments

I love fish. Wait, I think I’ve confessed that before. I fight the adoration and strive to diversify my designs and projects, but deep in my heart I would love little fish and nautical touches to surround me in every... Continue reading →

Something’s Fishy with These Craft Projects

by Evin // August 4, 2014 // No Comments

It’s no secret that I love fish. I mean, you can see the Trout of North America calendar over my desk (I’ve been getting it for I can’t even count how many years), the trout potholder, the trout dishes, the... Continue reading →

My Favorite Monkey Patterns

by Evin // July 24, 2014 // No Comments

Monkeys are like us, but without the hindrance of mobile phones and vacuums – which makes them such a barrel of fun! Why do we love them? I don’t know. But here are a few patterns that make me want... Continue reading →

Knit an R2D2 Baby Hat for Your Jedi Infant

by Evin // July 1, 2014 // 3 Comments

After knitting New England Knit’s Whale Watch Hat, I decided to give it a go again. I love stranded colorwork, robots, and Jedi craft tricks, so the R2D2 Beanie by Lorraine Prior is a perfect chart to get my Star Wars knitting fix. Now,... Continue reading →

Crayon Case with Initial Applique

by Evin // June 22, 2014 // 1 Comment

This is a post about a project I made three years ago for my nephew. The stitches are uneven because the machine was new, the oilcloth was thick, the needle wasn’t up to the task, and the sewing machine’s tension... Continue reading →

Testing Out a Capsule Wardrobe

by Evin // June 19, 2014 // No Comments

So, next week, LB and I are off for eight days in Paris with my Dad. It will be fun, but knowing I have enough to keep track of with a toddler in the City of Lights, packing must be kept... Continue reading →

Free Knitting Pattern: Midwinter’s Night Cowl

by Evin // May 23, 2014 // 12 Comments

This simple and free knitting pattern for Midwinter’s Night Cowl showcases the colors of the yarn as well as the sheen. I made this for my friend Maire who loves pink and grey together. Click here to download Midwinter’s Night Cowl pattern... Continue reading →

Baby Adaptation of the Whale Watch Hat from New England Knits

by Evin // May 10, 2014 // 6 Comments

My knitting group created its own little Knit-A-Long (aka KAL) three winters ago and a handful of us opted to make the New England Knits Whale Watch Hat designed by Kate Gagnon Osborn. I did not have an easy time of it... Continue reading →