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June 23, 2019October 23, 2022

Knit & Crochet for Kids

Kids are going to be out of school for summer soon. And some already are. Do you want to teach your kids to knit or crochet this summer? It’s so great to have the kids looking at something besides screens and keeping busy. Check out some of these great patterns to make for your kids or to teach them to make!

*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*

Check out this beginner Crochet Triangle Scarf Pattern! These triangular scarves are super trendy right now. This simple pattern would be a great first project for a young teen to make this summer and wear to back school in the fall!

The Serena Top is a simple and cute kids’ crochet crop top that your little one could make (or you could make for them!).

Update: Unfortunately, this pattern is no longer available. Check out this cute crochet crop top pattern!

While the crochet pattern for this Cheeseburger Beanie is more of an intermediate level project, it’s great to show kids the fun things they can make while they’re learning, to help them persevere through the first wonky stitches (or projects!).

While also another project more suited for a more experienced crafter to make for kids, this quiet book crochet pattern is just the right idea for summer projects!

Need to improve your crochet skills for one of these projects? Check out Craftsy’s online crochet classes and learn at your own pace!

I know I was just encouraging looking at something besides screens, but isn’t this Joe the Frog Book/Tablet Holder adorable? And he can hold books as well! So fun!

Another lovely summer top crochet pattern that is perfect for beginners is this Hippie Fringe Granny Square Top. Isn’t it fun in these rainbow colours? And that fringe is very on trend right now!

Here’s another great crochet poncho pattern to make for kids for back to school. This Modern Bobble Poncho is an easy to memorize pattern you can work on during your summer road trip and your kid can try it on when you make gas station stops!

While this is also another project that an intermediate knitter would need to make, I couldn’t help but drawing the attention of knitters to this gorgeous child’s sweater pattern! The Bohéme Sweater for kids is a stunning knitting pattern for sizes 4-10. Such a classic, but modern look!

This Easy Peasy Beginner Hat Knitting Pattern is the perfect place to start kids knitting a hat! Chunky yarn means fewer stitches that are easier to see, so it works up quickly and has a satisfying finish rate!

Need to sharpen your knitting skills to take on one of these projects? Check out some online knitting classes from Craftsy!

Then you can show your kids the gorgeous hats they could knit when they have some more experience! The Madison Beanie Knitting Pattern is a great project for the advanced beginner/intermediate knitter!

Pick up some yarn and a pattern and get making and teaching your kids today! Or pin these great ideas for later!

Knitting Pattern for textured beanie. Love this gorgeous knit hat pattern! Can't wait to make one of these for winter! #knitting #pattern #knittingpattern #knitbeanie #beaniepattern #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

Beautiful knitting pattern for this Boheme sweater for kids! Gorgeous sweater for kids! I love this fair isle pattern, modern but classic! I love the raglan style knitting pattern, too! Perfect for fall! #knitting #knit #knittingpattern #knitsweater #knitsweaterpattern #sweater #pattern #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

what a cute little bobble poncho crochet pattern for kids! Crochets up quickly and easy to memorize, perfect summer project for travelling to make up for fall! Love this sweet sweater! #crochet #crochetpattern #yarn #crafts #crochetponcho #ponchopattern #pattern #craftevangelist

Sweet and simple granny square style crochet open back toddler poncho pattern! Perfect project for a beginner! #crochet #beginngercrochet #crochetpattern #pattern #yarn #crafts #grannysquare #poncho #summercrochet #summercrochetproject #craftevangelist

Joel the Frog Book/Tablet Holder. Fun amigurumi crochet project to hold the ipad or books for kids! Great summer crochet pattern project! #crochet #pattern #crochetpattern #amigurumipattern #tabletholder #diy #crafts #yarn #craftevangelist

Fun idea for kids! A crochet pattern for a quiet book for kids! Lots of interesting things to play with to occupy a toddler! #crochetpattern #crochet #pattern #yarn #crafts #crochetfortoddlers #pdf #craftevangelist

Fun crochet pattern for this cheeseburger hat! Perfect crochet beanie pattern for the hamburger lover! #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist #beanie #crochetbeanie #crochethat #crochettoque #toque #hat #crochetpattern #hamburgerlover #hamburgerhat

Cute little crocheted halter top pattern for kids. Love this simple crochet pattern summer top! Easy beginner crochet project for kids or adults! #crochet #pattern #crochetpattern #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

Easy beginner crochet triangle scarf pattern! Love this brightly coloured simple crochet pattern for this stylish scarf! #crochetpattern #crochet #pattern #scarf #crochetscarf #trianglescarf #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

Easy Peasy Beginner knitting pattern beanie. Super easy knit hat pattern to make! Love this simple toque. Perfect pattern for a new knitter! #knittingpattern #beginnerknits #easyknits #easypattern #learntoknit #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

June 8, 2019September 24, 2022

Knit (& Crochet) in Public Day

Today is World Wide Knit in Public Day! In honour of this day, I have collected some patterns for you to knit in public! Of course, you can knit anything in public, except maybe this (which is actually crocheted), but I find that it’s easier to travel with smaller projects. So, fair warning, there’s also some crochet items in here because we’re inclusive like that.

*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*

Try out this adorable little Amigurumi Bunny Bookmark! Amigurumi projects are great for travelling with because they are small and they don’t require a lot of yarn, so they pack up easily. Isn’t this adorable little bunny in the book bookmark super sweet?

This beauty of a dress (pattern available here) would also be great to work on in public. When people ask you about your project, you can tell them you’re making a dress, which is awesome! You’ll have plenty of time this summer to work up this project for a perfect fall dress for yourself!

Here’s another garment project you can knit in public. A few skeins of a super bulky yarn will make this fantastic vest, another great fall addition to your wardrobe! Pattern available here.

Bonus! It’s also available as a crochet pattern! This is made in Tunisian Crochet, which my MIL taught me once, doesn’t seem so hard, but I have yet to make a project in it.

Items for children also make great projects to knit in public. Check out this adorable Ramble Poncho Pattern! It’s modelled here on a child, but the pattern includes sizes up to an adult XL! I love it when patterns come with loads of sizes!

Keychains are another super quick project to make in public! This adorable little Baby Beer Amigurumi Key Chain would make a super cute quick handmade gift for that hard-to-buy-for guy!

Handbags also make great travel projects because as the bag starts to take shape, it can hold all your yarn and supplies! Check out this beautiful Felted Bag Knitting Pattern. I love the look of embroidery on knit and crochet items, but I’m so terrible at it! I really need some more practice!

Update: Unfortunately, this pattern is no longer available. Check out these other Felted Knit Bag Patterns for some good options.

And because I love amigurumi so much, I couldn’t help but include a few more of these adorable patterns for you to crochet in public. Like this loveable little chinchilla pattern. The brushed yarn really adds to the realistic look of this sweet stuffed toy!

Since I actually wrote this on World Wide Knit & Crochet in Public Day, I bet you’re reading this after the fact. But just because it’s over doesn’t mean that you can’t knit or crochet in public any day! So pick up a pattern today and get knitting or crocheting!

Adorable little chinchilla amigurumi crochet pattern! Love this sweet and charming stuffed toy crochet pattern! #crochetpattern #amigurumipattern #crochet #yarn #crafts #chinchilla #craftevangelist

Fetching felted handbag knitting pattern! The Ashling Tote is a lovely hand-knitting pattern, felted and embroidered! I love all those things! What's not to love?! #knittingpattern #handbag #pattern #yarn #crafts #knittote #craftevangelist

Cute little baby bear amigurumi key chain stuffed toy! Fun father's day idea! Or great for a teacher gift for summer! #crochetpattern #amigurumipattern #yarn #crafts #stuffedtoy #amigurumi #pattern #craftevangelist

Charming poncho knitting pattern in sizes infant to adult XL. Love this gorgeous hooded poncho! Perfect for fall! #knittingpattern #knitpattern #knitponcho #knitclothes #yarn #crafts #hoodedponcho #craftevangelist

Knitting pattern for this chunky fall vest. It was designed to look like a similar Tunisian crochet pattern! I love this! It looks so great with a long sleeved tee! #knittingpattern #knitvest #knitting #pattern #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

Gorgeous diamond knit dress pattern! How fantastic will this be for fall!? Love it! So simple but so gorgeous! #knittingpattern #knitdress #yarn #crafts #knitting #pattern #craftevangelist

Delightful little bunny bookmark crochet pattern! Fun and practical amigurumi pattern for a booklover! #amigurumipattern #crochetpattern #bookmark #crochet #pattern #amigurumi #craftevangelist

January 10, 2019January 30, 2019

More Gorgeous Hats!

It’s still hat season, right? Good, ’cause I’m still loving them and I’m still making them! I have a lovely assortment of knit and crochet hat patterns to show you today. The pattern designers are just going nuts! And I’ll tell you about all the goodies that I can’t wait to work with!

*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*

This gorgeous chunky cable-knit hat from SoRoBellaCreations is the first on my list. Isn’t it lovely? This pattern comes in 5 sizes and it’s great for a beginner because it knits up with super bulky yarn, so it’s a super fast project. If you need some super bulky yarn, let me recommend We Are Knitters The Wool. I just got my first order this week and it is lovely to look at, lovely to touch and lovely to work with! If you use my referral code (MGMKTKWSM) you can get $10 off your first order!

If you’re looking for a cable knit hat that is a little less bulky, then you could try The Aisling Hat Knitting Pattern from AuntJanetsDesigns. It includes instructions for both DK and worsted weight yarn options and come in 3 different sizes. Also, if you’re looking for some gorgeous faux fur pompoms like that one, I recommend GingerSnapMandie‘s shop. She has a great assortment of beautiful and large (some 6-inch pompoms are on their way to me now!!!) pompoms that will finish of your hat with style!

If you’re in the mood for an adorable fair isle project, this adorable Moosey Slouchy pattern from KnitsNKnacks4U just might be the project for you. It would make a great hat for skiing around the holidays. It has a very festive feel to it!

The Timber Toque knitting pattern from LambandCoDesigns is another festive fair isle hat, which is also made with a super bulky yarn for another quick knit! You’ll be knitting up hats so fast, you’ll have to make new friends to give them to! (And oh.my.goodness, get yourself some huge white pompoms!)

Need to sharpen your knitting skills to take on one of these projects? Check out some online knitting classes from Craftsy!

If you’re not a knitter and prefer to crochet, this Aspen Basketweave Beanie Pattern from WeavingWonder has a lovely texture and slouch to it that is right on point! I’ve been meaning to try this stitch out, so this pattern is going to make my “to make” list (it keeps getting longer all the time!!!)

Here’s another lovely crochet pattern, striped-with-textures, The Sweeney Beanie from HookYarnsandLoops looks cozy and warm with a lovely interest! It looks great for crocheters who get bored with the same stitch fast!

The Amelia Beanie Crochet Pattern from AshleighRaeCrochet is yet another lovely textured crocheted hat pattern (with a swoon-worthy faux fur pom!) to crochet up that has a slouchy, textured-stripe. So fun. I need to make one of these, too!

There’s still plenty of winter ahead for us Canadians, so there’s still plenty of time to make up a lovely handmade hat from an independent designer. Which one will you make? Pin it to share or save for later!

Pattern round up of seven gorgeous knit and crochet hat patterns! #knit #crochet #patterns #hats #beanies #toques #winterhats #patternroundup #fauxfur #pompoms #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

Gorgeous textured crocheted beanie winter hat pattern. I love these textured toques! And yay! Crochet! #crochet #pattern #hat #winterhat #beanie #toque #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

I love the gorgeous mustard yellow in this crocheted winter hat pattern! Those fur pompoms are gorgeous, too! I can't wait to make one of these toques! #crochet #pattern #hat #winterhat #toque #beanie #crafts #yarn #craftevangelist #crochetpattern

Beautiful ans simple chunky cable knit beanie pattern. This slouchy toque knitting pattern comes in 4 sizes for adults and children. Love this! #knittingpattern #knitting #pattern #hat #beanie #toque #winterhat #diy #yarn #crafts #pdf #craftevangelist

I love the beautiful moose intarsia/fair isle knitting pattern on this fun winter hat pattern! Perfect for winter, skiing and Christmas! So many wonderful pompoms, too! #knitting #pattern #knittingpattern #beanie #toque #winterhat #slouchy #pompom #yarn #crafts #diy #craftevangelist

I love the fair isle pattern on this chunky hat knitting pattern with this Christmas tree colour work! So lovely! Perfect slouchy beanie toque, nice and warm for winter. #knittingpattern #knitting #pattern #beanie #knitbeanie #toque #pdf #winterhat #crafts #yarn #diy #craftevangelist

I love the basketweave pattern on this aspen basketweave crocheted beanie pattern. I can't wait to crochet up this lovely textured slouchy toque crochet pattern! #crochetpattern #yarn #crochet #pattern #diy #crafts #slouchy #beanie #toque #hat #winterhat #craftevangelist

November 22, 2018November 22, 2018

All the best baby blankets

A baby blanket is another great project to work on when learning to knit or crochet. One reason is that gauge isn’t super important, so as long as you’re consistent, it’ll look good. And you get lots of practice stitching making a larger project! I’ve collected some great baby blankets for you to crochet!

*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*

The Hat & I has a whole bunch of fun and colourful crocheted blanket patterns to try out, including this gorgeous Flowerghan crochet pattern. Isn’t it sweet? It would make a lovely baby blanket or throw for your living room or bedroom!

I am also kind of obsessed with this adorable Owl Obsession Crochet Pattern. I love the bright fun colours and the adorable big owl eyes really pop on this whimsical little blanket. Kids of all ages would enjoy this lovely little afghan.

This Rainy Day Flowers crochet blanket pattern is another lovely looking pattern with a pop of colour! The pattern says it will work up to be about 34 inches by 51 inches, but I bet it probably wouldn’t be difficult to figure out how to make it larger if you wanted it as a throw on a larger bed.

This sweet vintage Baa Baa Lamb Blanket Crochet Pattern looks so fuzzy and inviting and I think it would make a lovely handmade, heirloom gift for a new baby!

I am also in love with this gorgeous Floral Baby Blanket Pattern! I’ve seen it pop up numerous times in my Pinterest feed and each time it does, I fall in love again!

Corner to corner crochet is a fun way to work a chart and create all sorts of interesting designs. Any kid would love this fun Baby Sharks blanket!

I often waffle between my preference for intricacy and simplicity. But I like them both. And you don’t have to choose! In fact, you need simple things to balance out the intricate things! This simple Heart Crocheted Blanket Pattern is a lovely simple contrast to some of the other more intricate patterns.

So, pick up a pattern, some yarn and get crocheting! Time to make some blankets! Follow my Knit & Crochet: Blankets Pinterest board or pin this pin:

8 Gorgeous Baby Blanket Crochet Patterns to make! I love all the floral pops of colour in these beautiful afghans! #crochet #pattern #blankets #baby #craftevangelist #yarn

Baby sharks corner to corner crochet pattern C2C with chart & written instructions. Love these adorable little sharks! #crochet #pattern #c2c #blanket #baby #afghan #babyblankets #craftevangelist

Such a sweet and simple baby blanket with a heart design on it! Looks super easy, like a beginner could do it too! #crochet #pattern #yarn #crafts #blanket #afghan #throw #babyblanket

Pretty floral baby blanket crochet pattern! I love all these little flowers pieced together to make such a sweet little afghan! #crochet #pattern #crafts #yarn #blanket #babyblanket #afghan #throw #craftevangelist

Aaw, super cute fuzzy lamb crochet blanket pattern. I love that this is a vintage pattern, but would look right in place in so many contemporary nurseries! #crochet #pattern #blanket #afghan #baby #crafts #yarn #diy #craftevangelist

Love these gloomy grey flowers with pops of colour crocheted afghan baby blanket pattern! Perfect project to work on the go! Great handmade baby gift idea! #crochet #pattern #blanket #babyblanket #afghan #throw #yarn #crafts #craftevangelist

I'm obsessed with this adorable owl obsession crocheted blanket pattern! So much fun for baby or a little kid! #yarn #crafts #crochet #blanket #babyblanket #afghan #throw #pattern #craftevangelist

Gorgeous flower embellished crocheted throw blanket, perfect for a baby's bedroom, all the way up to adult! I love the detail on the edging! #yarn #blankets #crochet #afghan #baby #babyblanket #crafts #pattern #craftevangelist

March 29, 2018August 21, 2018

Great Handmade Gifts for Mom

Like I’ve said before, I love browsing Pinterest and Etsy to look at all the cool handmade stuff and all the great supplies and patterns to make my own cool handmade stuff. There are so many unique handmade items available on Etsy. It’s a favourite place of mine.

Today I’d like to share with you some awesome Etsy listings for some great gifts for moms. Mother’s Day is coming, you know! As a mom and as a person with a mom, I know what would make an awesome Mother’s Day Gift.

*Disclosure: some of the following links are affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may receive a small commission.*

For the gardening mom, personalized garden tools. Awesome!

You can get these here.

Another awesome gift for the gardener is this great Milkmade Apron (and it’s currently on sale right now!).

Oh, and you have the check out this excerpt from the description. First, a pretty normal description:

It is the attention to detail on this apron that really makes it stand above the rest. The leather tabs and grommets hold the straps securely, giving more durability than the average apron and allowing for easy adjusting to fit any size. The vintage, blue striped fabric is in limited supply and, due to popularity, will not last long. The three large pockets are cut on a slant, with a tall thin pocket, perfect for utensils, paint brushes, or gardening tools, a middle pocket for larger items and a smaller one for a cell phone or other odds n’ ends, making it an ideal kitchen apron, garden apron or craft apron.

Then here’s my favourite line:

Put it on and you will be prancing through fields of wild lavender and baking bread from scratch in no time!

Haha! Awesome!

And now, for the knitting mom:

As a knitter, I think this is awesome. As a gift, this sign is super budget-friendly because it is a printable sign. It is also great for kids who procrastinate a lot because it’s an instant download. So, buy it, download it, print it, frame it and wrap it up. You’re good to go.

Maybe your mom doesn’t have enough mugs. Or maybe she just needs a really hilarious one! This one is good for a laugh.

If your mom is really more of a stylin’ mom who likes gorgeous bags or to haul a lot of stuff around, check out this beautiful, natural-character, full-grain leather tote bag. They are also on sale right now. So snap one up while you can. What a great deal.

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, but still unique and beautiful, you should get her one of these Antique Victorian Silverware-inspired heart necklaces. What a fun idea and so pretty!

Or you could get her one of these beautiful Dandelion Tulle Embroidery Hoop Art wall hangings.

Wouldn’t one of these look fantastic hanging in the kitchen window? I think your mom would think so, too.

As much as we like beautiful things, if you have time, you could make your mom something and that would probably be even more special to her. These baskets would crochet up quickly if you’re handy like that.

Gorgeous, sturdy, and super-practical for mom.

If you really want to impress your mom, though, you could paint her a portrait. Not artsy like that? It’s just as impressive (possibly more so, depending on your portrait skills) to get this artist to do it for you. Check out some of her stunning work:

Lots of options there for you, folks! Super great options here or check out Etsy and explore some other options on your own. Happy (early) Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!