Note: These show notes contain affiliate links Join Crispina and I as we explore a lifetime using sustainable practices to inspire and inform our work. Some highlights of our talk are: the state and hopeful decline of fast fashion, balancing sustainability with desire for staying current, upcycling vs recycling and […]
journal - podcast
Ep 3: Decluttering to Unlock Creative Flow
Note: These show notes contain affiliate links Enjoy Episode 3 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast (a recording of the March livestream) in audio form or pull up a project and craft along. I’m working on mending my favorite spring jacket. Thanks for the company! No matter your Cleaning or Cluttering […]
journal - podcast
Ep 2: Blog to Book & Beyond: Craft Leftovers Podcast
Note: These show notes contain affiliate links A full decade has passed since my book Mend it Better rolled off the presses. And this really got me thinking, where am I now? How did I get here? Over the next year, I’ll be posting a new monthly interview with the […]
knitting - patterns & tutorials
Free Knit Pattern: Cozy Matcha Mittens
These small cozy mittens were made just for me. I wanted something warm and soft for long winter walks. And this clearance/discontinued yarn was just the thing. Using up just one skein for a small pair (my size), they are great for reducing my yarn pile. They work up so […]
journal - knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Head Wrap | Practice Lace Stitches in this easy fast knitting project
Special thanks to Ravelry member dc2go for requesting this pattern be next to update! I love this pattern for teaching begging lace knitting, making a last minute gift, or keeping my on the go project bag light and easy. It is a great little pattern to practice many of the […]
crochet - patterns & tutorials
Crochet Mosaic Scarf | Free | A rainbow of colors made from your stash!
Special thanks to Nancy S. for requesting this pattern be next to update! I’ve dug up the original pattern and put it all straight into this original post. But, if you’d like a tablet or printer friendly pdf version and help this and other Craft Leftovers patterns finding their way […]
embroidery - patterns & tutorials
Grandma’s Sew Kit | Free Plastic Canvas Embroidery Project
This post is part of the Pattern Archive Recovery Project. The pattern was originally posted back in 2009 and you can read the original content and get the full pattern on the original post. Enjoy the newly formatted, updated, and ad-free printer/screen friendly PDF in the Craft Leftovers Shop.
fabric - patterns & tutorials
Free Pattern | Reusable Grocery Bag Made for your Bike Basket
Fantasizing about riding my bike to the grocery store is a lovely image. A bit of a fresh air, get my legs moving, a handle bar basket full of …. too much? What. Wait, that wasn’t the idea I had in mind. I made this tote bag to fit right […]
crochet - patterns & tutorials
Free Crochet Scrap Basket Pattern | Organize Your Leftovers With Craft Scraps
Special thanks to ravelry user theGoodNeighbor for letting me know the pattern link was broken. I’ve dug up the original pattern and put it all straight into this original post. But, if you’d like a tablet or printer friendly pdf version and help this and other Craft Leftovers patterns finding […]
journal
Introducing the Pattern Archive Restoration Project : aka the story of how I lost and found my crafty goodness
Here is the short story: Craft Leftovers was hacked shortly after Mend it Better was released, Jason found back ups 7 years later, we are rebuilding the archive, rereleasing patterns every Thursday.
journal - knitting - patterns & tutorials
Free Knitting Pattern: Cherry Chirp!
For the next addition of the Pattern Archive Restoration project, I present the Cherry Chirp Knitting Pattern! First published in February of 2008 and has been missing from the archive for quite some time. Welcome Back my little friend! Standing about 8 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 8 inches […]
journal - knitting - patterns & tutorials
Knit Tea Cozy Free Pattern
For the next addition of the Pattern Archive Restoration project, I present the Knit Tea Cozy. It’s not just for tea pots, it can also work for nice big 13″ circumference tea mugs. Knitted way back in 2008… I still find this little cozy immensely useful, cheerful, and cozy! Made for a Tea-for-One tea set, it fits well on a large mug or any other small pot.
Visit the original pattern post for the complete free pattern.
fabric - Home Redress - howto - journal - patterns & tutorials
Repair a Vintage Project Basket
Special thanks to a Facebook message that let me know the pattern link was broken for the Vintage Project Basket. Now that it’s fixed, let me share with you this project that still has a home in my studio.
journal
Meet me at Chicago Zinefest
It’s here! Chicago Zinefest is here! And you know what? Craft Leftovers Volume 5, Issue 1 will be here too (check it out in the CL Shop & on Etsy! I’ll be putting it up for sale in my etsy shop when I get back from the zinefest and I’ll […]
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
journal
Grandma Mini Sewing Box
I’m still in love with this little box, but can’t find it anywhere. Maybe it’s time I make a new one. I brought two posts together to tell the whole story with a few edits for ease of reading. Originally published 09/07/2009. This weekend I started the daunting task of digging […]
knitting - patterns
Knit Pattern: Thrummed Lady Moss Mittens
This is one of my favorite winter patterns and I still wear them every cold weather season. I’ve also made them larger for Jason which he refers to as his ridiculously warm mittens. It was first published November 11, 2007 I usually start the summer to fall to winter layering […]
nosew - patterns & tutorials
Notepad Girdle Box
This little box is a great way to keep all your note paper in one place. Cut mis-prints and other scrap paper into quarter sheet size and slip it right in. Grab it when you need it, store it when you don’t. Cover it with fabric or paper and […]
journal
Finally, crafting!
It’s taken months. Potentially a whole year. I finally finished a craft project: I started these convertible mittens well over a year ago. And nearly had them finished. And then I got pregnant. One would think that a nesting urge might set in and I would get super crafty. Not […]
journal - patterns & tutorials - stitching school
Stitching School: The Knit Stitch!
It really made me happy all the nice comment you gave me on the Cable Cast On How To, so I decided to follow up a little ahead of schedule with why it’s so great to use, especially when just learning. Like I said, the cable cast on is such […]