a bookshelf with writing and nonfiction books lined up

How I Started Blogging and My Favorite Writing Books

July 27, 2020 // No Comments

Since I learned what letters and words do, I’ve put them together to convey ideas or just for fun. In college, I was editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, I was an interning editor for an educational catalog/magazine for three summers,... Continue reading →

Woolly and Wonderful Hand-dyers in Ireland & Northern Ireland | EvinOK

Made In Ireland – Makers and Artisans Based in Ireland

March 17, 2020 // 1 Comment

If you read my blog regularly, you know I’ve posted quite a few times before about Irish crafts, hand-dyed yarn, and more, so it won’t be a surprise to read this post. I spent many MANY hours combing Instagram and the internet looking... Continue reading →

A photo collage showing all 12 knit samples from the Ultraviolet Knits book.

Ultraviolet Knits: Twelve knitting patterns featuring UV-reactive hand-dyed wool

March 7, 2020 // No Comments

I’m thrilled to announce the release of my latest book, Ultraviolet Knits: Twelve knitting patterns featuring UV-reactive hand-dyed wool (Anchor and Bee, 2020). This collection features 12 original accessory knitting patterns designed with black light-reactive hand-dyed wool-based yarns. Inspiration This book... Continue reading →

A Few of My Kids’ Favorite Robot, STEM, Dinosaurs, Bedtime, and On-the-go Books

December 17, 2019 // No Comments

Every so often, I’m struck by the continued love and loyalty my sons feel toward a certain book or toy (or theme) and I thought I’d share some of their favourite books (with a couple toys) within certain themes because... Continue reading →

My All-Time Favorite Gifts Given & Received

December 13, 2019 // No Comments

It’s my birthday, so I’m sharing a list of all my favourite gifts that I’ve ever received or given. As always, Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links. I made £26 in 2019 from this and I used that money to buy... Continue reading →

Updating a Conference Backpack with a Monogram | EvinOK

Personalizing a Thrift Shop Conference Swag Bag

August 15, 2019 // No Comments

I have been looking for a basic backpack to use for when I need to carry a bit extra for myself and the kids, but don’t want my purse to feel like I borrowed it from Hermione Granger. I usually... Continue reading →

Quilted Bag by House of Nanoo of West Cork, Ireland | EvinOK

My Quilted Bag from House of Nanoo

June 20, 2019 // No Comments

I recently went to West Cork Yarn Festival and fell for the beautiful quilted bags made by Caroline of House of Nanoo. There wasn’t one bag that just spoke to me, but I saw two fabrics that made me so... Continue reading →

Embracing the 80s with Upcycled Legwarmers

January 15, 2019 // No Comments

For Halloween 2018, I made a kind of fun 80s Rainbow Brite inspired costume. I didn’t stay completely true to her original style and worked with what I already owned. Yep, I own these things. The leggings are LulaRoe. The... Continue reading →

2019 Calendar, designed by Carol Feller and made by Badly Made Books

Carol Feller’s 2019 Calendar by Badly Made Books

December 20, 2018 // No Comments

In this day and age of digital and social, with our lives mapped out in 1s and 0s, it is nice to return to tactility. I was thrilled when I won a copy (in a Knitmas game) of Carol Feller‘s 2019... Continue reading →

What Will Be Under Our Tree This Christmas

December 12, 2018 // No Comments

I am following up on my Dear Santa… post from a few weeks ago with an update on what is wrapped and ready to go under our Christmas tree. It may give you some last-minute gift ideas. This is just... Continue reading →

Knitting by the hearth in Normandy | EvinOK

Dear Santa,…

November 5, 2018 // No Comments

We like to write our Christmas letters to Santa early here so he can plan accordingly. After all, it takes time to do what he does. This weekend, LB and I sat down to decide what we each want for... Continue reading →

An Caitín Beag Bee Stitch Marker Bracelet | EvinOK

Patterns & Stitch Markers that are the Bees’ Knees

September 20, 2018 // No Comments

It’s no secret, I love bees. Like, really love them. As a child, there was a hive in my dresser and we lived in harmony until my parents heard about my roommates. It is also one of the few things... Continue reading →

Taking in a Thrift Shop Boho Top

September 6, 2018 // No Comments

I love checking out the local charity shops (thrift stores) in Cork city. I tend to find them rather hit or miss, but when I find something I love, it’s such a win. One such win is a new (New... Continue reading →

Children's Books with Knitting Themes | EvinOK.com

Knitting-related Storybooks for Kids

August 30, 2018 // No 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 →

Visiting Máíre Ní Thaidhg’s Shop in Spiddal Craft Village

August 14, 2018 // No Comments

As I mentioned last week when I wrote about Lunch at Builín Blasta Café, around Easter, we visited Galway and Connemara for a family getaway and encountered the charming Spiddal Craft Village & Cafe. We fell head over heels for... Continue reading →

loving these tassel earrings and other recent shopping finds | EvinOK

Brilliant Things

July 31, 2018 // No Comments

It has been such a long time since I’ve done one of these post. It’s not crafty, but if you share my interests in creating and motherhood and travel and music and so on, you may also like what I’ve... Continue reading →

All the Brilliant Things We Rely on as Parents

January 9, 2018 // No Comments

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

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…

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 →

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

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 →