Craft Leftovers

journal

A Letter from me to you

I’m excited to share a project that’s been brewing for awhile —something that finally came together during a recent flight home from Colorado. I intentionally had just a pen and a notebook, and with that bit of focus time I figured out how to bring my art, craft, and ideas

by Kristin Roach

knitting, patterns & tutorials

Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie

The Making me Purr Cat Hoodie. It’s one of those patterns that was so much of a joke between Jason and I that I almost didn’t write it down. I almost didn’t share it. It’s become a classic. Knit from stash yarn and lots of laughs it’s the most popular pattern I’ve ever written to date. Originally published in December 2009. Available for purchase on Ravelry, Etsy, and Here on in my Shop

by Kristin Roach

embroidery, fabric, feature, journal, patterns & tutorials

Recycled Peace Ornaments

I have never really been a fan of decorating for holidays though, so I wanted something that could be used for a season. Winter Season. I like decorating for the season instead of the holiday. I guess I feel like it allows me to enjoy what I’ve done a little longer.

This project calls for felt and just about any will work great, but I really like using recycled sweaters and hence the name. I have a stash of old felted sweaters and this just seemed to call for soft white and red cabled felt.

by Kristin Roach

feature, journal, Mend it Better

Mending in the New Year @ the Octagon

Nearly every 4th Thursday of the month, I’ve been co-hosting a monthly mending group called A Place to Mend at The Octagon Center for the Arts here in Ames, Iowa. This January kicks off our third year and we are excited to add in a bit of intentional instruction each

by Kristin Roach

clm, journal, little woods homestead, patterns & tutorials, vol 5, zines

Craft Leftovers Zine Vol 5: Issue 1 — The Many Deaths of Backyard Chickens

While admittedly there have been other new deaths of backyard chickens, I feel like this zine still represents most of them. I just added the digital edition to the Craft Leftovers Substack Archive here. Become a paid subscriber to unlock many zines & patterns for instant gratification downloading. Taking a

by Kristin Roach

clm, howto, nosew, patterns & tutorials, zines

Collage IT Mini Zine—Now in Digital Form!

Many years ago—over 16, to be exact—I launched a zine subscription called Craft Leftovers Monthly. Each issue came with a fun little bundle of craft leftovers, often bundled into a mini kit to try out a new project. It was a blast to make and share! Some of the tutorials

by Kristin Roach

howto, journal, patterns & tutorials, zines

Mini Zine: Step-by-Step How to Make a Basic Zine

My newest mini book shows you my favorite techniques for mini book making. Learn how to pronounce “zine”, make a zine, and why I love them!

by Kristin Roach

journal, zines

Mini Zine: How Math Ruined Summer Vacation

My newest zine is out in print or get the pdf (and other zines in the digital archive too) as a Substack paid subscriber bonus! This past summer while my daughter was being excessively determined to never do math again and that it’s worthless — this little gem was born.

by Kristin Roach

journal, zines

New in the New Shop

Grand Re-Opening of the Craft Leftovers Shop: Your Hub for Resourceful Craft Inspiration & Eco-Conscious Fine Art! I am thrilled to announce the return of the Craft Leftovers Shop at its new digital abode! A leftovers hub for craft zines & patterns is re-emerging at a new web address, and

by Kristin Roach

crochet, patterns & tutorials

Free Crochet Pattern: Oscar’s Fingerless Gloves

First published January 05, 2007; Oscar’s Crocheted Fingerless Mittens was my very first crochet pattern every published on the blog. I still remember typing up the pattern in my college apartment all those years ago — and my complete delight when my new friend Diane shared a photo with me

by Kristin Roach

podcast

Ep 18: Do it for the Publicity Guidelines

Do it for the “publicity” rarely works: Here is how to Make sure it Does. Enjoy the podcast here or your favorite player. Enjoy the Livestream video edition: Treat me to a cuppa: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach General Notes Sign up for the Craft Leftovers enews list to see what’s been recovered in the archive

by Kristin Roach

journal

Switching up Live-Stream to Pre-Recorded + Schemes

Just wanted to send a quick message out to let you know I’m pausing live streaming for the rest of the year. I’m working on some really exciting projects right now and as they ramp up, I need more time to get them going. One of the challenges live streaming

by Kristin Roach

journal, podcast

Ep. 17: The Clarifying Nature that is a Cancer Scare

And back! Whew, the first Livestream after the move. What a whirlwind. Made it here through a rainstorm! Giving you an update on why I took a long break, and then a longer than expected break. Podcast Audio Version Coming Soon. Enjoy the Livestream video edition: Treat me to a

by Kristin Roach

journal, Mend it Better

A Place to Mend in May

Gather up those textiles you’ve been meaning to work on and join me for some creative social fun. Bring any projects to work on, ie.. knitting, crochet, needle work, whatever. 5:30 – 8:00pm Thursday, May 25th, 2023 Octagon Center for the Arts, 2nd Floor Studio FREE IN PERSON EVENT |

by Kristin Roach

Crafty Business, journal, podcast

Ep 16: Take a Break from Work

What if you don’t take breaks because you are so in love with what you are doing every day? Welp. Suck it up buttercup, you need a lunch break too.

by Kristin Roach

journal, Mend it Better

A Place to Mend @ the Octagon

Mending is that bridge between creative worlds. Whether a hobbiest or professional, we all have something to share, contribute, and a sock with a hole. For those of us that are a little more quiet, it gives us a task to keep attentive to and help with any social anxiety.

by Kristin Roach

journal, podcast

Ep 15: How and Why I use Profit First in my Creative Businesses

The number one book I recommend to creatives entrepreneurs is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Today I’m going to share the story of how reading this book transformed how I run my businesses’ finances and allowed me to pay myself a wage + make a profit for the business. Little

by Kristin Roach

Craftea, howto, journal, knitting, Mend it Better, patterns & tutorials, wips

Re-Knitting Dropped Stitches in Realtime Live

Join me for 40 minutes of relaxed mending and afternoon tea. Today I reknit the top of my daughter’s hat that “exploded” at school. I also show off a few other projects in my mending basket and the socks I’m knitting up just for fun. Show Notes Sign up for the

by Kristin Roach

journal

Turning off Ads on Craft Leftovers

Last year I turned google ads on. This year I’m turning them off. Here is the why for both choices. Plus a little digressing. Craft Leftovers the blog has been around since that 2006 Hello World Post. Believe it or not, it was one of the OG blogs on recycled/upcycled/green

by Kristin Roach

Crafty Business, feature, journal, podcast

Ep 14: Annual Review in an Hour

Before making a plan for the next year, (Ep 01 of Craft Leftovers), let’s take an hour to consider this past year. What went well? What could have been better? What just totally missed the boat? Do you try again next year or let it go? I’m taking you through

by Kristin Roach

Crafty Business, journal, podcast

Ep 13: Bookkeeping for Creatives

One of the questions I get most often. Okay more like the “oh no” deer in the headlights response I get when I bring up book keeping. It doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be kind of fun. In this episode I talk about the difference between

by Kristin Roach

Crafty Business, journal, podcast

Ep 12: Making a Traveling Exhibit

After a year of work I’m taking the Junk Mail Migration Paintings & Tapestry on the road! How did I create a traveling exhibit? And what are the essentials to coordinating with multiple partnering institutions? As a curator at an art center, I received and installed hundreds of works of

by Kristin Roach

Mending in the New Year @ the Octagon

Ep 14: Annual Review in an Hour

Recycled Peace Ornaments

A Letter from me to you

Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie

Recycled Peace Ornaments

Mending in the New Year @ the Octagon

Craft Leftovers Zine Vol 5: Issue 1 — The Many Deaths of Backyard Chickens

Collage IT Mini Zine—Now in Digital Form!

Mini Zine: Step-by-Step How to Make a Basic Zine

Mini Zine: How Math Ruined Summer Vacation

New in the New Shop

Free Crochet Pattern: Oscar’s Fingerless Gloves

Ep 18: Do it for the Publicity Guidelines

Switching up Live-Stream to Pre-Recorded + Schemes

Ep. 17: The Clarifying Nature that is a Cancer Scare

A Place to Mend in May

Ep 16: Take a Break from Work

A Place to Mend @ the Octagon

Ep 15: How and Why I use Profit First in my Creative Businesses

Re-Knitting Dropped Stitches in Realtime Live

Turning off Ads on Craft Leftovers

Ep 14: Annual Review in an Hour

Ep 13: Bookkeeping for Creatives

Ep 12: Making a Traveling Exhibit

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Say Hello Online

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

CL eNews Sign Up