Last week I shared how to make my new favorite accessory, a DIY pencil clutch. In that post, I outed myself as a huge school supply nerd, revealing how much time I spent as a kid preparing and decorating school supplies for the coming year. Today’s tutorial shares my go-to method for covering textbooks (or any book), ideas for custom cover designs, and how to reinforce the covers to survive a year in a bumpy backpack.
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Picks of the Week
Good lord, it’s Labor Day Weekend! As with other long weekends, I plan to spend the next few days finishing up a few works in progress on the beach (or on a porch in the rain – the weekend forecast isn’t looking amazing around here). It will probably be a good thing for me to avoid packing anything but my WIPs so they actually get done. There were some especially cute and fun knitting & crochet patterns and tutorials to be found on the blogs this week. Check out my faves!
How to Knit an Afghan for Under $35
Craft supplies can add up when you’re as addicted as I am to DIY, particularly if you go through yarn like there’s no tomorrow. That’s why today I’m going to talk to you about Blitsy, a website that offers really great deals on craft supplies.
DIY Pencil Clutch
A couple years ago, I made a clutch using rulers and felt that I am still pretty excited about and use all the time. Since I can’t get enough of all things bookish, I recently got the notion in my head to take the school supply clutch concept to the next level with pencils and a slightly different structure, and I think I might love this one even more!
Picks of the Week
While last week’s knitting and crochet ideas all smacked of fall, the internet must be trying to enjoy the most of the last weeks of summer this week. There were some great summery ideas to be found! I also came across a lovely Katniss-from-Catching-Fire cowl pattern and some really epic dog-themed mittens. There were so, so many good ideas this week for knitting and crochet, this particular batch of ideas are all exceptionally good, across the board.
50 Back to School DIYs
It’s that time of year, dudes. Every other ad you see is for juniors’ clothes at the department store, backpacks on sale at the other store, and every other craft is pencil or apple related. I don’t mind, though. As a librarian, I’ve always appreciated the bookish things in life, so here are 50 of my favorite back to school DIYs from around the internet.
Red Hats for Newborns + A Free Pattern
The story of one of the most critical moments of loss in my life, how you can help raise awareness for this all-too-common issue, and a free knitting pattern to help you contribute to helping the cause.
Picks of the Week
I feel like it’s beginning to look a little like fall on the knitting/crochet internet this week. I know. August 15. Ugh. But since fall is a great season for fiber projects and ramps us up into holiday knitting, I’m not sure I mind. It’s ok, you can hate me for saying it, although I bet I’m not the only knitter or crocheter who feels this way!
Knitting Reimagined
This book isn’t so much on trend as it is beyond trend. Legendary knitwear designer Nicky Epstein’s new book Knitting Reimagined presents 25 innovative patterns that are conceptualized differently than a lot of knitwear you might have encountered on your knitting journeys. Knitting your way through this book would be an amazing way to get inspired to do something new next time you’re feeling bored with knitting yet another cardi or wrap.
