This is a little project I started last night. You might be able to guess who it is for, and I’ll give you a hint– it’s not for Knut.
But it got me thinking that I should share where I get all these patterns and inspiration. The internet is a bottomless well of information, but I find myself just going over the same sites over and over again. I don’t venture out much, unless someone recommends a site to me. So here are my favorites:
That is a knit and crochet site. But not just any site. It’s a community, and a wealth of information as far as how to, pattern reviews, yarn reviews, etc. I like to look at the new patterns that come out daily. When different publishers or pattern makers come out with a new pattern, they often post it on here first. I’d say you can see as many as 20 new patterns a day. Several (and I mean thousands if not tens of thousands) of the patterns are free. I haven’t gotten into the community part of it that much yet, although I’ve been “friended” by a few people. You do need to register, and I don’t know if it’s like this anymore, but when I tried to register, I was put on a waiting list for a few weeks before I was granted access. It doesn’t cost anything to register, and you don’t get junk mail. But be warned…hours can be wasted drooling over things here.
Next:
This is a sewing site that is not only a fun place to shop, but I absolutely love their blog. They do different “events” and this month they are going over hand sewing. They have displayed different types of embroidery from chicken-scratch (I learned what that was!) to children’s projects. You absolutely must stop by their blog in November when they have their handmade holiday event. You can find ideas for gorgeous handmade Christmas presents. They have a new “theme” each day like “gifts for teachers” or “gifts for guys” or “gifts for crafters.” If you want to see more modern and vintage ideas for crafting, this site is on the cutting edge of what is “hip” with crafting these days.
Next:
This is by far my favorite quilt site. She’s not “hip” like the sewmamasew site. She doesn’t use matchy matchy or trendy fabrics. She’s a huge scrap quilter. She has quite the following too, I imagine, and has written a few books. The most recent one is making quilts out of old work shirts. I like her (her name is Bonnie) for 2 reasons. First, she has so much how-to information on her site that you’ll find everything you need from equations for buying the right amount of fabric for whatever size quilt you want to organizing your stash of little scrap pieces, to about 30 or so detailed instructions as to how to piece quilt tops.
The second reason I like this site is because she’s not elite like many other sites that highly recommend $9 a yard 100% cotton fabric that is made for quilting, and you have to do things just a certain way. She encourages using what you have on hand, and brings me back to the feeling of quilts where you can mix old wool dress pants and a part polyester part cotton shirt into a quilt together. It’s the idea that quilts are meant to be useful, beautiful, and cheap.
My last recommendation is for searching sites on the internet for projects you want. I’ve found so many free patterns by typing in what I want with the word “tutorial” into google. “Nursing cover tutorial” or “diaper tutorial” or “baby shoe tutorial.” You’d be amazed by the number of people ready to share how they did things.
Lastly, I’ll let you in on my list of crafting blogs that I happen on from time to time. They are not as big as the sites above, but some of their things inspire me to be more creative, more detailed, and make the little things count.
http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/
http://ikatbag.blogspot.com/
http://candacetodd.blogspot.com/
I know there are more, but I can’t find them now. I usually refer back to the sewmamsew site to look them up.
Now it’s your turn! Leave your favorite sites in the comments section for me and others who haunt this blog. It’s fun to share!
The Tungseth Family Blog says
August 21, 2009 at 7:59 pmGREAAAT! Now I have another project to do for Christmas! Its okay though. Okay did you see on the ikat blog the garden thing that she made for her kids. I am so making that. Thanks for the new sites! (I think)
Lisa says
August 22, 2009 at 2:39 amHi! I’ve met you before!! 🙂 I’m Rachel Nelson’s college roommate–I met you at a softball game a few years ago when I was visiting Rachel. I found your blog by visiting my old camp counselor’s blog that led me to Amy Garvin’s blog where I saw your name on her blog roll. You’ve got a fun blog! 🙂 Very cute knitting project!
Penny says
August 22, 2009 at 7:04 pmIf you do any crocheting, here’s one for you:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com
Tons of free patterns, all in nice categories, so easy to find. (I’m almost finished with one of bella’s christmas gifts)
Sisi says
December 14, 2009 at 4:25 amhi! i stumbled upon your blog via someone else’s that i can’t even remember who pointed me to the hexes quilting tutorial you have. anyway, i was just peeking aroung cuz i’m nosy and i have one arm free when nursing, y’know!? what else can i do? i know what you mean about the internet being a bottomless pit of information. i’m here every day and my list of to-do’s is beyond measurable. lol. did you know ravelry is making a quilting community site? thought you might like that one