So Much Yarn, So Little Time: Stash Busting

September 8, 2016 // 3 Comments

Six years ago, before I had my first child, I took out every ball, hank, skein, and cake of yarn in my home and put them in one place. And THIS is what I saw… This is about 250 skeins/balls/cakes of yarn. I... Continue reading →

How to Decide If It’s Time to Finish or to Frog a Stalled Project.

July 29, 2015 // 2 Comments

Not all knitting projects work out and some just stall or hibernate. Like a broken down car, I kick the tires and wonder if it’s worth sticking with it or perhaps it’s time to move on to something new, maybe... Continue reading →

Knitting a Cheeky Pistachio Shell Wrap

April 20, 2015 // 3 Comments

Four years ago, I was in the States for a visit and started knitting a wrap to go with the dress. It reminds me of a vintage Hable Construction design (Chocolate Straws). Since at the time, I had never knitted... Continue reading →

Gnomes Sweet Gnomes

April 6, 2015 // 4 Comments

They’re not just for your garden anymore, gnomes are making their way into homes everywhere with their effigy-like appearance and innocent looks. I know I am not alone when I admit that I love garden gnomes. It all started when... Continue reading →

Knitting a Foldover Baby Sweater

March 23, 2015 // 1 Comment

It’s amazing what goes into a hand-knit baby pullover. Several years ago, my nephew received his belated Christmas gift and to this day I still marvel at it because it was the first knitting project I made with seams! But it is also... Continue reading →

Crofter Loganberry Fair Isle Effect Hat

March 2, 2015 // 1 Comment

This post is about a very fun and easy hat I knit a few years ago but never got around to blogging about. In 2010, I knitted up a bit of chunky yarn to create my Faux Fair Isle Sock... Continue reading →

Midnight in Paris Trench Scarf

February 23, 2015 // 3 Comments

Some projects feel like you just need to keep them, even though they are meant for gifts. One example of this is the Midnight in Paris Trench Scarf I knit for my sister-in-law in 2009. I love how this turned out... Continue reading →

Starting the Year with Joy and a Long Ravelry Queue

January 1, 2015 // 3 Comments

That’s it. The holidays are officially over. It’s hangovers and laundry catch-up today then back to routine. I know, so grim a perspective. Don’t worry, I’m all about bringing joy into daily routine which is why I felt inspired to... Continue reading →

Ingenue Pullover

December 28, 2014 // No Comments

In 2009, I purchased my first [of several] knitting pattern books. I immediately set about determining which of the patterns I would knit first. And a short six years later, I’m just getting going on the project. The book seems to really... Continue reading →

Creating the Perfect Care Package for a Knitter

November 17, 2014 // 3 Comments

Knitmas is approaching and my annual anonymous gift parcel is about to be sent off and many care packages sent out regularly as my favourite hobby. I’ve considered what makes an ideal care package for a knitter and I wanted to share all... Continue reading →

Christmas Craft Workshop: More Handmade Gifts

September 29, 2014 // 3 Comments

Some of my favorite holiday gifts have been the ones that I can enjoy again and again. A favorite gadget or beloved cardigan or, best of all, something edible or handmade. It is that little touch that truly defines the... Continue reading →

Knit an R2D2 Baby Hat for Your Jedi Infant

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

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 →

Vintage & Second-hand Shopping in Cork City

May 28, 2014 // 3 Comments

Leesiders love their style, fashion, and individuality, so it makes sense that we have many options for Second-hand Shopping in Cork City. Though most shops focus on clothing, a few carry books, accessories, curios, and household items as well. By last... Continue reading →

A Baby Soft Variation of the Whale Watch Hat from New England Knits

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 →

Editing Store-bought Knitwear

October 7, 2013 // 5 Comments

There it was, a charming gray jumper dress on sale in Dunnes on Patrick’s Street. The cables on the front were classic and I loved the button-up cowl neck, but the length was so very wrong for me. If I... Continue reading →

Sewing Baby Pants from a Toddler Tee

October 3, 2013 // No Comments

LB loves being active at home and wearing knit pants like sweatpants or jersey ones work best for that. Flexible pants to roll around on the floor in have become the standard attire here at home. A while back, we... Continue reading →

Free Knitting Pattern Resources

April 23, 2013 // 4 Comments

Whether you are frugal or frivolous with your money, a free knitting pattern offers an opportunity to create something with the expense being only the yarn and your time. If it fails miserably, you unravel (or frog it, as the... Continue reading →

Dyeing Roving Wool & Knitting Yarn with Kool-Aid

April 17, 2013 // No Comments

You may remember Kool-Aid as the happy-go-lucky red pitcher sloshing around commercials of your childhood – or you may not be familiar with the beverage at all, but did you know you can use Kool-Aid powder packets to dye wool? Yes, I... Continue reading →

Books to Inspire You to… Renew! Recycle! Create!

May 29, 2012 // 1 Comment

Taking something that already exists and creating something new with it has such poetry – or at least that’s how I see it. It can also be described as resourcefulness, flexibility, thrift, or upcycling. You’ve read about my adventures making... Continue reading →