There are some people who can handle having things laying around unfinished, but I don’t think I’m one of them. Until very recently I would slog through a 300-page book I didn’t like. Realizing I could put it down was a revelation, but actually putting it down? That my friends, takes skill.
Do you remember when you learned about frogging? I’m not just talking about ripping back a few rows (or 50) to fix a mistake, which is never fun but worth for the right project. I’m talking about a full-on stop your project and rip it, rip it all the way back to your original ball of yarn.
Something most knitters love is the marvel of creating something from nothing. Ball of yarn + time = scarf! Yay! So when I first read about someone getting through half a sweater and realizing that no, this yarn must not be this sweater, it astonished me that she frogged it. The. Whole. Thing.
Frog my Emmery? Not a chance.
I was perplexed. All that time and energy gone! And instead of staring at a WIP, you’re staring at … yarn. How depressing.
After 1.5 years of knitting (!) I have finally come to the project that I have to frog. It’s those darn socks! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun.) Despite all of your kind advice I can’t get the laddering to stop when I purl, and I think maybe I just don’t like knitting socks. I have to pull so tight on the yarn and knit around tiny double-pointed needles. I’m not into that.
So for the past few months I’ve been uninspired to knit. Well, uninspired to knit those socks anyway. Don’t get me wrong. I am in the middle of a little project for Lydia, my favorite six-month-old, but that project with its gorgeous yarn just sits there, staring at me. It got to the point where I hid it in a closet.
The other day I realized it had been months since I knitted even a stitch on it. I’m feeling guilty, like I’m cheating on the sock with my cardigan. This is serving no one. I have to let go. It’s like a book I never want to finish. It ruins the whole fun of knitting for me.
So I’d like you to (virtually) join me as I frog for the first time a half of a sock. I know it’s not half of a sweater (thank goodness!) but still, I’m a little teary about the whole thing.
Half sock + very little energy = ball of yarn.
Wait. That’s not right.
More like … Half sock + very little energy = BALL OF YARN!!!
Suddenly there are a world of possibilities out there. (I’m pretty sure I just lost an hour on Ravelry.) For joy! Maybe I’ll try socks again. Or wrist warmers? Or, to get away from the whole DPN thing perhaps a cowl. I’m giddy with glee!
I get it. Frogging isn’t always the worst thing in the world. In fact, it can be super liberating. More liberating than leaving a book unfinished because when you re-open that book it’s still the same chapters and words. With a ball of yarn, the world is at your fingertips.
Have you ever frogged anything? Was it worth it? Did it break your heart? Were you happy to see it go? Tell us about it in the comments.
We all know that handmade gifts are some of the most special things we can give and receive, regardless of who they’re from. But many of us have experienced a time when the gifts they gave weren’t received with such honor and grace.
So how do we ensure that our children grow up understanding the power and beauty of handmade gifts? Teach them how to make and give them, that’s how! Looking around the Internets, there are plenty of fun Mother’s Day DIY projects for kids to create with dad’s help. But what about the card?
That’s where my brother-in-law and his kids come in. Sure, there are plenty of Mother’s Day cards at the mall, or you could make your own in the traditional style, but what if you wanted to make the biggest Mother’s Day card ever? One that you could see from Mars? Well, maybe not Mars, my nephew Zeke informs me, but pretty far away.
Here’s what you need:
Sidewalk chalk
Large area to draw like a driveway or parking lot
Camera (optional)
Timing:
This project takes about 30 minutes, so if your kids are morning people, get them up to do this before mom is awake. If night time is better, park you car on top of the card and steer mom clear of it until morning.
Step One: Let Go of Expectations
If there is anything I’ve learned from playing with children it’s that planning is good, but can often be a source of anxiety. Things will hardly ever go the way you thought they would. That’s actually the beauty of doing projects with kids, because you learn to let go and just have fun.
Tell the kids you’re making the biggest Mother’s Day card in the world for their mom and that’ll get them excited. But beyond that, things should be pretty organic. Less stress for you, more fun for the kids, and trust me, mom will love the effort made, not just the final project.
Step Two: Craft Your Message
Ask your kids questions to get them ready to draw. Here are some to get the wheels moving:
Do you want to use words or pictures of both?
What do you like to do with your mom?
What is your favorite place to go with mom?
What does mom do that you like?
Step Three: Start Drawing
Once your kids grab hold of an idea, let them go to work! For my nephews, they got excited to draw roller coasters at the boardwalk where their mom brings them. Don’t worry about how big or small they draw something. Just encourage them to draw what they want.
If your kids are too young to write the words, offer to help them but also make it a joint effort. For instance, if you’ve decided to create a message at the top of the card, ask them to help you color in the words or add patterns.
Obviously infants and babies aren’t going to be able to participate in this project, but if your child is still young and has an older sibling, try to include them in the project in this way. Encourage drawing as well. Even if mom has to ask what the drawing is, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Step Four: Show Mom!
If you’ve got a driveway or parking area at home, you can bring mom outside and give her the card Mother’s Day morning. But what if you don’t have a spot? Or what if mom’s favorite thing to do on Mother’s Day is to take a spa day many miles away? Or maybe you just want to preserve the memory for longer than the next rainfall.
This is where the art of photography comes in. Grab your kids and have them lay down on the card. (You know they’re already covered in chalk by now.) Since this card is enormous, you’ll probably want to find a way to capture it all, like standing on a chair or taking the photo from a second story. Whatever you do, just be careful!
If you decide to give the photo to mom, this project should be completed at least the day before. You could frame it, or even make a frame with your kids, using a tutorial like this. Whatever you decide to do, know that mom is going to love her handmade, gigantic card, which will show your kids how wonderful it feels to have their handmade gift appreciated. And that’s a gift for everyone.
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Like this idea? Be sure to share it on Facebook and Twitter and pin it on Pinterest. Use the links on top of the post. Or just tell your kids you’d love the biggest card in the world for Mother’s Day. That’ll get them in the mood to create!
Children are pretty rad I think, don’t you? But if you think about it, they wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for the awesome women who carry them around, bring them into this world and mother them. So when ever I meet an amazing child (and there are a lot of them out there!), I’m always in awe of the mother.
Parenting is a very personal thing, and everyone has their own style. And it seems that more than one definitely works. How else do you explain the number of special little humans running around on our planet? In order to tip our hats to the women who do this phenomenol work, we talked to a few different women we’ve had the pleasure to work with in the past.
These women write. They knit and crochet, sew and more. They photograph. And along with that (and so many other things) they mother. Wonder what the secret weapon is? Turns out they aren’t so secret, because they’re willing to share.
What kind of crafts do you do with your kids? What types of things are “mom only?”
I try to do a bit of everything with my girls. I grew up with a strong influence of handmade in my home. My mom and both of my grandmothers all sewed, knit, crocheted and did many other handicrafts. I really want my girls to have the same type of upbringing and to also realize how amazing and special it is to dream of a project and then make it become reality.
It can instill a strong sense of confidence and creative belief in oneself. Both of my girls love to help me out when it comes to sewing and knitting and they really enjoy picking out fabrics and designing the garments they would like for me to make. We all also love to color and draw. Needless to say there are always markers, crayons and paper everywhere and our fridge is never. ever. bare.
What kinds of things do you do to create time for your crafting? Blogging?
I’m a strong believer in time blocking. I like to schedule my time efficiently because let’s face it – there is never enough of it. I use my microwave timer to set an alarm for when it’s time to move on to the next block of time.
It helps me not to lose track of time sewing or working on the computer and helps my kids to know when mommy is all theirs and when it’s independent play time. It also allows me to feel like my girls and I get some creative time each day and that’s very important in our household.
Tell me about a time that made you laugh at how much you manage.
Some days I feel like I have it all under control and give myself a little pat for being so on top of things but the reality of most of my days are more chaos like. One day after picking up my oldest from school, I was loading a temper-tantruming, five-year-old in the car, in the rain, along with my tired, two-year-old and daydreaming about what I was going to sew that night. A day or so later I went into the trunk of my car to find out I had left my stroller on the sidewalk in front of my daughters school that day.
The worst part was that I had to ask at the school office if they had seen it or if someone had turned it in and relaying the story was just mortifying. I mean really, it’s pretty hard to forget a stroller right? Never mind one that wasn’t cheap. Hurts. Icing on the cake was I did the same thing one week later. I know …. I’m hanging my head in shame.
Luckily at least this time I realized about 10 minutes later when I needed said stroller and found it missing again only to race back and thankfully find the stroller waiting for me. My daughter wisely suggested we drive home and I drink some more coffee. Great advice from a five year old.
What are the top five things you can’t do without as a mom, blogger and artist?
I would feel lost without my journals, yarn & needles, my sewing machine (Pfaff Ambition 1.0), my camera (Canon Rebel T1I) to take pics of my girls and my computer to document it so all of the special memories and daydreams will always be with our family.
What kind of crafts do you do with your kids? What types of things are “mom only?”
He doesn’t have a very long attention span, so we do quick crafts like coloring with crayons or markers, or anything to do with stickers. We leave messy crafts for preschool – painting, white glue projects, glitter, etc.
But he’s getting really interested in making stuff now, so I also involve him more in stuff I make. Like last week I sewed him a couple of tote bags, at his request. He chose the fabric, helped me iron it, watched me measure and cut it, etc. Knitting and crocheting are still just for me until he’s a little older, but with his growing independence, I do them around him more and more.
What kinds of things do you do to create time for your crafting? Blogging?
I no longer wait until he’s asleep! I used to only craft or work when he was asleep or with a babysitter, but now that he’s able to play more by himself, and able to be involved, I craft and work with him and around him. We both have way more fun.
Tell me about a time that made you laugh at how much you manage.
We adopted Owen with less than 24 hours’ notice, and we didn’t melt down, gouge each others eyes out, or pass out. We figure if we got through that unscathed, we can do anything. So, work stresses us out, and childcare can sometimes stress us out, but we’re generally inclined to figure that kids have been raised since the dawn of humanity, so it must be pretty normal to juggle it all.
What are the top five things you can’t do without as a mom, blogger and artist?
1. Time to myself.
2. Friends.
3. The right size and length of circular knitting needle.
4. My phone.
5. My laptop.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
To be the parent my kid needs, to avoid reading parenting books and online forums, to write whether I feel like it or not and to always have my knitting with me.
I have one kid so far: my one-year-old daughter, Lila. She is a little young to do crafts, but I’m looking forward to including her more as she grows. She does enjoy playing with balls of yarn, though!
What kinds of things do you do to create time for your crafting? Blogging?
I use pretty much any down time I have to knit. With a very busy one year old who is not big on playing independently, there is practically no knitting time while she’s awake, so I have to make the most of my time once Lila is tucked into her crib for the night.
When I have down time during the course of my day- such as taking transit to and from work (I have a full time desk job), I try to brainstorm ideas for blog posts, problem solve on knitting patterns that I’m designing, or mentally match up yarn in my stash with potential future projects.
I’d like to say I get a chance to knit while on my way to work, but it’s very rare that I get a seat, and I’m on it for only 15 minutes before then dodging and weaving my way across a maze of streets to get into my office building. Good for cardio, not so good for knitting! I think it’s easy to get into crafting and blogging ruts, and using this time to really think about what I could do that might be a little new or fresh feels really good.
What are the top five things you can’t do without as a mom, blogger and artist?
1. My blackberry. It’s not the brand that I’m loyal to, but the smartphone aspect. I love being able to Tweet or Facebook or check on Ravelry while I’m on the go. It allows me to stay connected during those found minutes through the day. And I know lots of people love their iPhones, but I just can’t seem to get on with a phone that doesn’t have actual buttons for the qwerty keyboard. I write some epic emails on that thing!
2. Ravelry. it totally transformed the way I knit, the way I think about knitting, and the way I interact with other crafters. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, Ravelry changed the face of knitting!
3. My camera. Currently I use a Nikon D40, and I love it. I know that DSLR cameras are expensive and often priced out of most people’s budgets, but it’s amazing the difference in quality of photos you can take, and I truly think it’s worth it. There is something about looking at a photograph of an item you’ve made, or a project you’ve been working on that allows you to see it with fresh eyes.
4. Bedtimes. For me and for my baby. I know that sleep training is a bit of a contentious issue amoungst parents, but it has worked really well for us in terms of getting a good night’s sleep for everyone, which means that not only does it give me an evening with a structured amount of time to accomplish things like knitting and blogging (and eating dinner and doing laundry and eight million other things), but then I go to bed at ten every night, as well. Having a good night’s sleep means I’m more patient, more creative, and just a better version of myself (my little one wakes up at 5:20 every morning on the dot, btw). And I disagree with the notion that having a child is the end of a good night’s sleep.
5. My husband. I don’t know how single parents do it, because no matter how much you love your little ones, you sometimes need a break, or someone to distract the baby while you take photos. My husband supports my passions, is a great dad, and brings home cadbury mini eggs for me to snack on at night. He’s a keeper!
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
One of my guilty pleasures is reading productivity books (I don’t count the massive amounts of chocolate I eat as a guilty pleasure, I don’t feel guilty at all!), and most of the time there is one or two things that I can apply to my life that really do help.
My most recent read is 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. It is really transforming the way I think about my time, and how much I get done. The basic premise is that each week has 168 hours, and that even if you sleep 8 hours a night, and work 40 hours a week, that’s still 72 hours in your week left over for other things. The chapters are arranged so that you have ideas on how to trim the wasted time from different aspects of your life, such as work,’leisure’, housework, and still make time to focus on your family, business, passions, and friendships.
It’s amazing how much time we fritter away watching TV or just surfing the Internet. I feel a lot more in control of my days after reading this book, and I feel like I’m doing more of the things that I truly want to do with my day. It’s helped me focus my time on the things that really matter to me.
I am almost out the other side of intensive mothering (although how much parenting teenagers needed came as a serious shock to me.) My three daughters are now 23, 21 and 19.
What kind of crafts do you do with your kids? What types of things are “mom only?”
There was nothing that was “mom only” in our house. We did sewing, paper-craft, painting, and of course, anything to do with knitting, including spinning. My kids were game for it all, although often activities had to be adapted to suit them.
The “mom only” part came in when I thought about expectations, and how interested they would be for how long, or what their skill level would be. I can be super “type A,” so it was important for me to learn to lower my expectations around perfection, or my interpretation of beauty. I learned to love a lot of crafts that were executed with charm, rather than skill. The skill came later.
What kinds of things do you do to create time for your crafting? Blogging?
It’s easier now that my youngest is 19. She’s the only one at home now, but I follow the same schedule I used too when they were little – doing anything that took concentration or focus during times when they were focused on other things, like school, lessons or sleep. (I did a lot while they were sleeping.)
Even now, the time that my kids are home is (mostly) time for them, and I make the most of my “alone time.” When they were little I got a lot done while we were in the park and a lot of knitting during bath time. My kids took really long baths.
What are the top five things you can’t do without as a mom, blogger and artist?
Coffee. Yarn. Coffee. My laptop. Coffee.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
For a long time – still actually, I struggled with resentment. I know that’ s a terrible thing to say, that you could resent your kids, but we’re all adults and let’s be honest, we have goals, ideas, and things we want to do, and as much as we want to do it all, I think we can admit that it’s really not possible if you’re sworn to put other people first, like parents are.
I was committed to being a good mum, but I also longed to write, and make things, and still live in the most beautiful house and bake my own bread, while weaving my own napkins out of organic hemp. I resented that I wanted to do it all for these kids, and for myself, and that ironically, the kids were what made it impossible.
It was a profound moment for me when my own mother told me that the secret to it all was knowing that you have to choose. The idea of women doing it all is a terrible idea we perpetrate on each other. Show me a woman with three kids who’s cloth diapering, writing a book a year, keeping a blog alive, taking all the photos for it, baking her own bread while weaving placemats in her spare time, and I’ll show you a woman with a dirty bathroom. I’m not judging the dirty bathroom either, I’m just saying that it’s impossible to do it all.
Something has to give, and you need to choose what it is that really, really resonates for your family and your heart, and put your energy there, and that you do other mothers a real service when you’re honest about that. I used to clean up before my friends came over, until my mum pointed out that all I was doing was making them feel bad that they couldn’t do what I apparently could. I let it go now.
Women don’t really do it all. They do what’s important, to them individually. It’s enough.
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Thank you so much to all of our fine mothers for taking time out of their days to answer our questions. And thanks to all the mothers out there who raise spectacular children and make beautiful things for themselves and others.
Your turn, mothers! What is some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Whenever spring rolls around I get this overwhelming desire to empty out my closet and buy new pretty things. It must be spring cleaning fever or something, but it never fails. It’s especially potent because unlike many parts of the world, here we don’t really toss our sweaters into storage for the upcoming season. It’s always sweater season once the sun goes down.
Over the past several years, I’ve found that new accessories tend to give my closet the mini-lift it needs to get me through spring without emptying my wallet. And are there some fun things online that I can make! I wanted to share a few fun tutorials that I think will be great fun for the season and into summer.
Fringe is very in this spring, so why not add to your collection without the hefty price tag?
Click to go to the DIY tutorial.
Or you could move the fringe onto your ears.
Click to see the tutorial and a cute baby photo!
What’s super fun? The fact that big earrings in general are back in style! (Not that that stopped me from rocking them on occasion.) Got bobby pins and nail polish? You’ve got your next pair of dangley fun for your ears!
Click to get the scoop on these colorful beauties.
As a kid hanging with my dad at the hardware store I always loved walking down the aisles filled with washers, nuts and bolts. I would marvel at the shine and wonder how it all belonged in a dingy “man store.” I guess I wasn’t the only one to wonder that. By Wilma’s washer necklace tutorial is a great take on spring’s metal trend. And, in case you missed it last month, check out our tutorial on making a bracelet from hex nuts.
Click for high fashion at your hardware store.
Speaking of metal, wanna make a ring out of a fork? Yes, it’s for more than just eating these days.
Click to learn the art of cutlery to jewelry.
And what about that accessory that so often get’s overlooked? Our lovely locks? Don’t forget to DIY-ify your head for a fresh look on the season. If you’re really into the classic look that bow offers, may I also suggest this pearl necklace headband tutorial? Super cute and super easy!
Click for a no-sew bow tutorial.
Do you have a favorite DIY accessory tutorial? Let me know in the comments! We’re always looking for fun stuff to try here at JP, so don’t be shy!
If you could put your finger on the pulse of our blog, you’d probably hear its heartbeat murmuring a few things. Knitting. Crochet. Fiber. Fashion. DIY. (Can your heart beat in three syllables?)
When it comes to combining those last two, there isn’t a blogger who does it better than Laura over at Trash to Couture. She’s got a list of fashion DIY tutorial posts so long, you’d have a whole new wardrobe by the time you’re done.
And we’re so lucky here at JP because we got a chance to chat with her, find out what makes her tick and see more of her awesome designs. Read on to learn more and find out how her first project spawned a hobby that brought her all the way to Times Square.
You learned to sew in middle school? Who taught you?
I learned the basics from a teacher in my middle school. I was thankful to have that offered in my school. Not sure if many schools offer it these days.
Have you always owned a sewing machine after that?
I immediately asked for one for Christmas.
What was one of your first projects?
One of my first projects was a vest I made from one of those fleece airline blankets. I remember I forgot to get fabric and we were working on the projects that day, so I guess that was the beginning of Trash to Couture. Ha!
A younger Laura in one of her creations: her high school dance dress.
If you could eat or drink anything with no consequences, what would it be?
I really love coffee and pop … I also crave hearty meals, like steak and mash potatoes.
When did the lightbulb go on for you that said: “DIY fashion blog! That would be *awesome*! Well, I always wanted to create a site for as long as I can remember of all my projects. There was never much time during my school years. When I was at home with my kids, I needed a little time for myself and thought it was the perfect timing. At this point fashion blogs were everywhere, but I never wanted to go that route, just posting pictures of what I wore. So created sort of an online lookbook of all my projects and then people wanted to know “how to?” so I started adding DIY tutorials.
Was your sister always involved in your projects?
Jackie has always been involved. When we were younger we were sewing most things together or for each other. She wore a lot of my designs. Jackie has a great eye for styling and thrifting as well. She is always sending me stuff to transform or ideas.
What project are you working on right now?
Today I spent the whole morning practicing macrame knots and creating patterns. It’s an old art, but I love it. I also have been learning dying my own fabrics as well, so going that route. I’m usually knee deep in unfinished projects. Ha!
Are your kids interested in sewing or DIY stuff?
Yes, my son is very creative and loves to make projects while I’m sewing. He is more into lizards and wild life, so we sew stuffed snakes together or paint fabrics. They’re interested in what I’m doing. It’s very sweet.
How do you like your eggs cooked?
I usually like my eggs boiled.
Do you knit or do other crafty things aside from sew?
Just started learning macrame, which is more hand knitting. I want to learn it all — it’s too much!
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere. Vintage patterns are my favorite though. The intricate details you don’t see much anymore.
Do you have a favorite type of project?
I really like working on new things. I use to sell a lot of stuff on Etsy, and sewing the same thing over and over really got tiresome. I usually start a project and go back to it after I start another project. It’s just how I work.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
Healing. If you could constantly heal yourself or others you would be the most powerful at everything.
What’s one of the most unique projects you’ve ever done?
I really liked the mens shirt into a peplum dress. It was an unexpected surprise from all the other mens shirt redos.
Have you been commissioned to do work or do you mostly do your own and sell it?
I have done both.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
A Times Square Billboard with Forever 21? You rock! How did that happen?
Thanks, I did a DIY for them and they just brought that offer on the table afterword. It was really quite random. Like, “Oh, and can you send us a picture? We want to put you on our Time Square billboard.” … “What?!?!?” Ha ha!
With two kids, how do you find time to create all that awesome stuff?
Well, it’s a lot of here-and -there work. When they are going to bed or having some art time of their own. It really is never three hours straight. It’s quite sporadic.
What’s one of your favorite outdoor activities?
I am a runner, so you can usually find me hitting up the trails or on the track.
It looks like you’re working with Cloth now and selling some of your own creations. Tell us more about that. I was contacted by Cloth to do a tutorial for them and then they invited me to be part of the magazine. It was really exciting and always something I wanted to do.
I do want to start selling again, that will be more long term as it requires much more time. Down the line I would love to have an online shop, but it would be hard to do all the sewing and such by myself. So still trying to figure that out.
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Thanks so much Laura! You’re a total inspiration to us here at JP. You can read more Trash to Couture on her site, check Laura out on Instagram and follow her at Twitter and Pinterest. And seriously, just because we can, let’s close this interview with one more of Laura’s great DIY tutorial projects. This one took her five minutes. I dare you not to click.
Whether you’re a parent or not, there’s something to be said for spending time with children. They’re honest and unfiltered in a way that we can never be (after telling me how much she loved me, my friend’s little girl informed me that it was time for me to leave her house).
Children delight in the smallest things and don’t seem to have the capacity to feel cold. How many times have you seen kids playing out in the snow or in the frigid ocean waters without a care in the world?
Creating art with kids is probably one of my favorite activities because it really puts you on a level field with them. Drawing a purple garbage can next to a unicorn on the sidewalk in front of your house makes you realize how fun it is to act like a kid.
So when Jordana asked me to put together a craft tutorial for March Craftness, I enlisted the help of my seven-year-old nephew Zeke. He’s been making candle holders, paintbrush holders, pen holders, you-name-it holders in a very creative (and pretty simple) manner.
Aren’t they cute? If you’re not blessed to own the Crafter’s Tool Butler yet, you could even use these to hold your crochet hooks! Be sure to snap a picture of your version. Post it with the hash tag #marchcraftness and we’ll re-post for the world to see. Happy crafting!
So, here’s what you need:
Glass jars of any size and shape
Yarn or twine
Glue gun
Scissors
Random buttons (optional)
Fun child(ren) to craft with (optional)
The first part is probably the toughest, Zeke informed me, because you need to have your mom help you attach the yarn or string to the top of the jar with the glue gun. If your mom isn’t around, another adult will do.
The glue dries quickly so have someone hold the yarn up next to the jar while you man the glue gun.
After the yarn is secured, wrap it around the jar tightly until it needs to be glued again. This depends on the yarn and the size of the jar, really. Zeke went about every three rows here, but remember, he’s a pro. I was using glue every other row.
Do this until you come to the bottom of the jar. Avoid gluing the yarn underneath the jar or it won’t lay flat. Snip the yarn off and use a little glue to secure it tightly to the jar.
The day we got together was an uncharacteristically warm March day, and so while I was learning about gluing yarn, Zeke’s mom Kelly was setting up the Slip ‘N’ Slide. Guess who ended up finishing the jar? Well, how do you really compete with water games on a beautiful sunny day?
However, he did come in to check on my progress and to discuss the buttons Kelly suggested I glue on the jar. This was my favorite part. I really thought a Star Wars themed jar would rock, but the figurines were too small for my giant jar. I settled on something shiny and happy. How can you go wrong?
Although I made this jar, Zeke has made all the others and has actually sold some of them at his market at school. What a little entrepreneur! These are a super fun and easy project to do, whether you’ve got kids or you’re just a kid at heart. Although if there is a sprinkler outside, maybe take a craft break and run through that too.
As a former newspaper gal and a freelance writer, I pride myself on my ability to meet a deadline. Thinking back through all my years of writing and even reminiscing about high school (!) I don’t think I missed one due date.
For whatever reason, my knitting doesn’t seem to follow the same rules as my writing. It probably has something to do with the fact that I view knitting as a peaceful, calming thing, which to me is inherently the opposite of a deadline.
I was not even close to done dutifully working on a baby blanket when its recipient arrived. I’d like to blame it on the fact that the sweet girl came a few weeks before her due date, but that day came and went while I was still working away, needles whispering late into the night.
So when I told myself I would finish Jordana’s Emmery by a speaking engagement in November I’d agreed to, I knew I was pushing it. Well, November came and went. Then December. (This, my friends, is why Christmas knitting isn’t in my near future.) And finally January.
Wheee! It’s my first sweater! And it only took me six months! To be fair I did have a few other projects I did in between, and my torso is obscenely long, so the body took some time. I am absolutely thrilled! It’s only been off my needles a few weeks, but I’ve worn it four times already!
Jordana told me that in every project I should learn one new thing. If you have to learn too many at once, she said, you can get overwhelmed and give up.
There were a few new things I picked up in this project, provisional cast ons (crochet method worked best for me) and how to try on a WIP (take the needles out and use waste string), but what I’m most proud of was tackling my fear of using DPNs. Not as scary as they look!
The Emmery really is a great sweater for someone who’s never made one before. It’s all stockinette and the shaping is really easy. Because it was so simple, I started to understand the construction of a garment in general. Super helpful.
Every time I put it on and take it off I’m sooo careful, as if it’s going to fall apart or something. It’s really taken some getting used to, this whole wearing-clothing-I’ve-made thing.
I’m definitely hooked, already deciding what my next JP knit is going to be. I’m thinking either Cerie or Cadence. I love Cerie’s look but I wouldn’t mind some long sleeves. Although by the time I’m done it’ll probably be summer!
In the meantime I need some advice from the JP community. I’ve started on some socks with the yarn I got from Desert Thread in Moab. I love them but I’m struggling with something. See if you can see it.
Arg! Laddering! I didn’t have this problem with the Emmery, I think because it was all knitting. As soon as I started purling it happened. When I worked on the sweater I would pull very hard on the first few stitches and it seemed to work. Not so much here.
Any advice on how to avoid this as I finish this sock and immediately cast on the next? I’m all ears!
Part of the charm of the desert is that it’s partly inhabitable. Of course, the places most people live in these extreme climates is near a water source of some sort, but that doesn’t change the fact that for much of the year, it’s insanely hot or frigid cold.
When we decided to take a trip to Moab, UT and the surrounding desert, I knew there would be a lot of hiking, biking and excitement to fill the days.
After all, everywhere you looked there were signs for rock climbing, kayak rentals, 4×4 tours and guided hikes. Someone even asked us if we wanted to test his tandem base jumping business. It was free! (We declined, figuring we got enough of a show with the world’s largest rope swing.)
But even with all the wild rides and adventure the area had to offer, I knew that every afternoon it was gonna get hot. And with more than two weeks to play, I knew I’d get burnt out if I didn’t have other plans. I think we all know where this is going.
I brought three projects: my Emmery, a friend’s baby blanket and my trusty washcloth (for those times when I want to knit outside). That, my friends, is a lot of yarn. It was the first time I really put my Crafter’s Tool Butler to the test and I was thrilled! It holds everything. Of course, we all know that the Rio can handle it all.
Upon arriving in Moab, it was obvious that others before me knew that in the chill of winter or the blazing heat of summer (thank goodness for A.C.!) it pays to have indoor hobbies. In a town of 5,000 people, there was fabric, beads, jewelry, yarn and other fantastical things to discover. So in the spirit of our crafty tour of Santa Cruz, I thought I’d take y’all along with me for my Moab excursion.
Of course, the first place I wanted to hit was the LYS, but it was early so instead I thought I’d check out Moab’s farmer’s market. There were loads of fall veggies, handmade goods and herb tinctures I’d been looking at online. Serendipity!
After a chilly morning, I was anxious to hit Desert Thread. Owned by Cathy and Rosie, this shop is adorable. I was greeted with a hearty “Good morning!” by a six-year-old boy who was helping his mom. Inside the sunny store was local wool, spinning, knitting and crocheting supplies.
After a lengthy discussion about sock yarn (this would be my first pair), I purchased some lovely hand dyed yarn from Pagewood Farm. The color? Peaceful. Mmm. (See the bottom of this post for pictures of my loot.) I asked the ladies where I should go next, and they suggested Savage Spirit, so off I went.
The beauty about downtown Moab is that nothing is too far away. I think the farthest I walked between stops was about three blocks. It’s still packed with shops, some with the typical touristy bits, but many with loads of hand-made, gorgeous wares. Savage Spirit didn’t disappoint.
With everything from hand-dyed cotton dresses to clay jewelry to beads and purses made from recycled Levis, this shop was colorful and welcoming. If you’re lucky, you’ll pop in when Cathya, the owner is in. She’ll be happy to tell you about how the artist made these earrings or just what helps your nose from drying out in the desert air. (Ocean, a nasal spray, is the choice of most locals.)
No matter who’s working the counter though, you’ll get a feast for the eyes when you stop in. With great stuff from around thirty different artists, it’s like a miniature Etsy collection you can touch and feel.
From there I was feeling seriously famished (shopping is hard work, as we know), so I headed to the place that had pulled me in on one of the first days I showed up in Moab: Eklecticafe. Just thinking about this place makes my mouth water.
Hungry for breakfast or lunch? They’ve got you covered with banana walnut pancakes, salmon and eggs, pulled BBQ pork sandwiches (with gluten-free bread if you so desire), and BLT wraps filled with avocado. YUM! Craving dessert in the desert? The carrot cake here is a winner, so I’m told.
One of the coolest parts of this cafe is that all the tables are old jeweler tables filled with handmade jewelry you can purchase at a reasonable price. Feeling like sending a friend a greeting? Local art and old postcards pepper the place, all ready to be purchased and mailed.
After relaxing outside in the shade (you wouldn’t believe how much shade matters in the dry heat) after a leisurely brunch, I figured I’d head back toward the sewing shop the gals at Desert Thread told me about, It’s Sew Moab. The store is a block off Main Street, making the sweet purple butterfly bench in front of it a welcome sight. If I hadn’t been sitting for so long, I’d have sat there just to enjoy the relative quiet.
It’s Sew Moab is a quilting store, through and through. Quilts hang from the walls, and signs pepper the place reminding us to “Procrastinate! It leaves more time to quilt.” Crystal, the owner, welcomed me warmly, along with the sweet little puppy basking in the sunlight pouring in through the front door.
In addition to gorgeous fabrics, there are beautiful displays and a sewing room where I could learn to quilt. Could I make a quilt in a day? I wondered. I reminded myself I had enough hobbies for now.
I managed to make it out of Crystal’s shop without signing up for a quilting class, but the sight of all those sewing machines just waiting for me to create has me thinking that’s something to look into when I get back home. Speaking of home, I was on my way there (at least my temporary one), when I decided to detour into a store the Desert Thread gals told me about. It was on the way after all.
Earth Studio is a small shop on Main Street filled with some of the most fun and enticing metal work, all made by about eight artists around the area. Amanda, who worked the counter, told me they all designed and created it in a cooperative sort of way. In addition, the store contained things like local honey, soap and beautifully-made and cozy-looking rugs.
I’m pretty sure my backyard would be full of the metal garden decorations if I lived anywhere near this store. How cute are they?
Before I got to Moab, I thought maybe people would think I was a little off my rocker for wanting to find the creative spaces here, considering all the natural beauty I could check out. Turns out it’s just a natural muse, because there are loads of artists and places cultivating those artists in this small place. A gem in the red rocks.
It took a lot, but I went home with only a few small souvenirs from my excursion. The sock yarn, a metal-work-bound journal, some nettle tincture and a metal switch plate for my girlfriend who adores all animals. And plants actually. She took care of mine while I was away.
While I’m happy to be home, it was nice to have some quality time to knit and explore a different part of the planet. I’ve got a new appreciation for the desert and the artisans who call it their home. Do you have a crafty place you’d love to show off? Feeling inspired? Do your own craft tour and we’ll post it on our blog. Email or leave your info in the comments, and we’ll make it happen!
For awhile now, we’ve been posting Knitter Profiles on the blog, and they’re loads of fun. It’s great to hear about other artists and crafty types who want to share their love of JP and yarny goodness with the rest of us.
The name, however, leaves something to be desired, doesn’t it? I mean, it’s just so plain. Plus it leaves out people who carry JP bags that wouldn’t perhaps call themselves knitters. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a crochet profile?
Well, the opportunity has come, and we’ve got a crocheter in the wings for our profile. We figured it’d be a perfect time to unveil the new name as well. Meet Kathryn Vercillo, the newest of our Fiber Fashionistas!
JP: When do you enjoying crocheting most?
I crochet almost every day. The most common scenario is for me to put on a documentary or TV crime drama and crochet while half-watching it. However, my very favorite time to crochet is with I’m with my mom and/or sister and we can craft together, talking about stuff and creating new things. Bonus points if there’s a fireplace around.
I was really happy about that. So many of the totes for crafters that are out there are really unstylish and my crochet blog readers are always looking for trendier options that are not only functional but also make them feel sexy. JP’s bags offer that and I was glad to have an opportunity to tell them about that.
JP: If you could eat or drink anything with no consequences, what would it be?
I generally believe that it’s okay to eat/drink anything as long as you’re doing it in moderation. That said, I’d probably more frequently have loads of mashed potatoes soaked in butter, sour cream and cheese!
JP: What projects are you working on right now?
I just finished spending thirty days crafting scarves using the patterns in Sharon Silverman’s new book called Crochet Scarves. (I kept a 30-day diary of the experience.) It gave me the chance to challenge myself with some new techniques and I discovered that I really love broomstick lace so I’m thinking that the next project I start may use that technique.
JP: What’s the one crocheting project you’ve always wanted to try but just haven’t gotten around to it, or you’re just a little intimidated by?
Broomstick lace was the main one. It sounded like it was going to be really tedious so I was holding off even though I really love the look of it. I feel like I achieved a major accomplishment having now tackled that. I think the next challenge might be Tunisian crochet.
JP: How many JP bags have you bought over the years?
So far I only have The Rio. I am very much someone who finds a single bag and uses it all of the time until it’s completely and thoroughly worn out.
But I have been considering getting The Crafter’s Tool Butler (in the Eggplant Purple color). It seems like a great way to organize your craft tools in one easy place.
If I do get another JP bag soon it’ll be a tough call between the functionality of The Messenger and the super cuteness of The Bella (which I’d choose in black).
JP: Do you have any favorite quotes or sayings?
Favorite general quote:
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. – Martha Graham
Favorite crochet quote:
“I think it’s time to set my sights on new goals and higher aspirations in crochet as an art form. It is time to infect the internet and the world with global domination of the versatility, practicality and coolness of crochet. I seek a cro-pocalypse. A veritable domain of the hook, with zombie-like contagion and cult indoctrination – only without the blood, flesh craving and Kool-aid.” – Aberrant Crochet
The first dress she crocheted.
JP: Any advice for new crocheters?
Trust your own sense of creativity. There is no wrong way to do crochet!
JP: What’s the best (audio) book or podcast you’ve read or heard lately?
I’m really loving Stacey Trock’s Crochet Chat podcast. It’s relatively new and is the only crochet-focused podcast that exists right now. Stacey’s really personable and does a great job with her chat. I also really enjoy the CraftyPod podcast, which has great tips and information for crafty solopreneurs and business owners.
JP: What kind of music gets you in the crafty mood?
I like really cheesy, campy music – the stuff you’d hear on 80’s night in a dive-y dance club, or accompanying a drag queen on stage or sung at karaoke. I also love Christmas music although I am sane enough to only listen to it around the holidays. If my crafting requires more focused attention, though, then I’m more likely to put on indie folk music (Dar Williams, Indigo Girls, Susan Werner).
JP: Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Always coffee. Actually, I’ve learned to like tea a lot more in recent years, especially after doing some of the tea tastings in Chinatown here, but I’m still mostly a coffee girl at heart.
JP: What inspires you?
What doesn’t?! No, honestly, I’m most inspired by people’s stories – my own, people around me, people who have written books. I love learning and I love hearing first person experiences of all sorts. Sometimes this inspires the specifics of my crafting. It often inspires my writing. But more than that, it just inspires me to go live life and living it creates my own experiences that inspire my creativity.
Kathryn’s Hyperbolic Crochet Sculpture
JP: How did you learn to crochet?
I originally learned the basic chain from my mom when I was a kid, but I didn’t really do anything with it. I re-taught myself a few years back mostly using kids’ crochet books. I did look at a few YouTube videos as well but I’m really not a visual learner; I learn better with words so books worked better for me.
JP: What was your first crochet project?
My very first was just this long yellow crochet chain that I wound up on a rolling pin and kept going forever and ever. I have no idea whatever happened to that, though, since that was the one from childhood.
My first new project was a scarf. It was from one of those kids’ crochet books and I didn’t really take into consideration that it would be kid-sized. Nevertheless, I really loved it because it was the first thing I’d made. Crochet had really saved my life, helping me get out of depression, so that first product was special to me. I still have it and even still occasionally wear it even though it’s a little ridiculous.
JP: It’s the zombie apocolypse. What’s your weapon of choice?
Kill ‘em with kindness.
JP: What’s one of the strangest things you’ve put in your JP bag?
I actually probably haven’t put anything strange into mine. I am really a minimalist when packing whether for the day or for a vacation. I walk almost everywhere I can so I tend to keep it as light as possible!
JP: What’s the last movie you really enjoyed, whether you were crocheting or not?
My Week with Marilyn. My sister and I saw it in an indie theater here last year. It was a really good movie that portrayed Marilyn Monroe in an interesting light, the cinematography was well done and I had good company.
JP: What’s one of your favorite outdoor activities?
Hiking. I don’t enjoy a lot of “sports” and I hate running but I could hike every day.
JP: Do you have a favorite type of crochet project?
I tend to like really simple projects that don’t have complicated stitch techniques. That’s because I really enjoy the meditative aspects of crochet that allow for relaxation. The repetition also releases serotonin, which acts as a natural anti-depressant so that’s a bonus. So I tend to make a lot of really large granny square blankets as well as large sculptural pieces of hyperbolic crochet.
JP: Do you do any other sorts of crafty stuff?
Crochet is what I do most. But I also do a lot of collage art. I used to do a lot of scrapbooking but now I only do it once or twice a year to keep my personal albums up to date. I eventually want to get into spinning and dyeing yarn.
JP: Do you prefer to crochet alone or with friends?
Usually alone because that’s where I really feel the benefits of the craft. However, I have enjoyed some craft nights with friends and I always enjoying crocheting with my sister.
JP: If time and money were no object, what would you be doing?
Writing my next book. Next to a beach that is far warmer than the beach here in the San Francisco Bay Area!
JP: Aside from your blog, where can we find you online?
Crafting is important. It isn’t just a leisure hobby. It’s a form of self-expression, a tool for relaxation, an opening to social connections, a way to give back to others and a skill.
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Thanks so much for sharing your stories and photos Kathryn! And thank you for helping us open our arms to more folks out there who love fashion and fiber. We’re thrilled!
If you’d like to be featured in Fiber Fashionistas, we’d love to hear from you! Email or leave your info in the comments and we’ll make it happen! Don’t worry, you don’t have to submit photos of yourself if you’re not into that (but we do want to see your projects and your bags for sure).
It’s always nice to hear feedback about your creations, which is why we are always stoked to hear what you think about our products. Knowing where we fall short is nice because we can make changes for the future, but there’s nothing like some good, old-fashioned praise.
Regina over at Creative Kismet wrote about our Crafter’s Tool Butler from a different perspective. True, she knits and crochets, but when she got hers, she immediately filled with supplies for her drawing journal.
Thanks to Regina for shedding new light on our Butler. You can read the review here. If you love looking at beautiful drawings, I suggest bookmarking Creative Kismet. I’m continually inspired every time I read it; case in point: Regina’s recent drawing about courage.
Anniken over at Confessions of a Yarn Addict also blogged about our newest product and her review comes to us from over the sea! We love to hear from those who have their bags travel so far just to get to them. (You know how we love travel!)
The problem was I didn’t have a nice case for my ChiaoGoos. I could have bought a nice handmade circular needle case but they normally come with ties and I find them a bit of a hassle. So I ordered the Tool Butler and I love it.
JP: When do you enjoying crocheting most? 
