Chronic Pain & Crafting, Part 4: Crafting Tools as Adaptive Tools

Part of the appeal of knitting and crochet is the way you can take some sticks and string and like magic turn them in afghans, sweaters, dresses, cushions, or anything your heart desires and your mind can dream up. At its core, yarncrafts require very few tools other than yarn, a selection of needles or…

Chronic Pain and Crafting, Part 3: Exercises and Accessories

While I myself am not a physical therapist, the exercises below are often recommended for crafters to stretch tense muscles and increase strength and flexibility, releasing tension and discomfort and preventing future stress and pain. These should be considered gentle stretches; you should feel a pulling sensation, but not pain. If the movement is painful,…

Chronic Pain and Crafting, Part 2: Fibers and yarns

Let’s talk about fibers. Wool is know for being squishy and bouncy with natural elasticity that makes it perfect for both knitting and crochet. However, it’s not perfect for every person or every situation. Wool or wool superwash blends frequently retain that elasticity while reducing allergies from lanolin (in the case of superwash), adding loft,…

Chronic Pain and Crafting, Part 1: Needles & Techniques

The days of only finding one style of needle or hook in the craft aisle at the local grocery store are long over. Thanks to the internet, international shipping, and several clever and talented independent creators, there are now a plethora of needle and hook styles available that can help extend your crafting time. If…

Knit Tea November 2022

Lady Dye Yarns has come under fire for failing to ship subscription boxes on time. In the latest fandom-themed release, boxes have arrived with contents for the incorrect fandom, missing items, or simply not been shipped at all. Customers have been filing disputes to try to get refunds, which LDY has been fighting tooth and…

Halloween Knitting Patterns

Anyone else pumped to get into spooky season? You know I'm always excited for anything involving ghosts and witches. Here are a few spooky-themed patterns to inspire you for fall. Note: All links go to Ravelry unless otherwise noted. https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/SaraRBarbosa/812006614/IMG_20211012_132123_medium2.jpg Halloween Dolls Set by Sara Barbosa Halloween Bat by Mariya Stany https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Lululoves/654547027/CrochetWebCollar2.jpg Halloween Web Collar…

Knit Tea September 2022

September 11, 2022–Canada’s Great Northwest Fibre Fest has been announced, but only limited details are available at this time. Continue to check their website for updates. September 16-18, 2022--Cumberland Mountain Yarn retreat hosted by The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN. There are a ton of planned activities and classes in every fiber discipline you can imagine, but…

Hank-y Panky

L to R: Cake, Cone, hank, and 2 variations of the center-pull skein. I've recently been seeing a lot of discussion about different yarn put ups (how a yarn is wound for sale) and there's been a lot of hate for the hank. So here's a look at some different put ups, and why some…

Knit Tea

Knit Tea is a semi-regular podcast segment that I've decided to bring over to the blog. If you know of any news or events from the yarnosphere (not pattern releases or sales) drop me a line and I'll include it! August 18-21, 2022--Camp Ida-Haven in McCall, Idaho will be hosting the Fiber.Love.Retreat. $325 covers a…

Anyone Out There?

Hey guys. Got a question for you, if you live in the PNW: What conventions do you go to? Specifically, if you like books or steampunk or knitting (or all three). I know about the Comic Cons, and while I would love to go, they are pricy and crowded and not quite my scene. I…