Cabled Newsboy Cap

What's a girl to do with an empty wallet and a need for new accessories?  Make them of course.  When I was learning how to knit, I borrowed a book from my local library called Stitch n' Bitch Nation.  Debbie Stoller has several books in the Stitch n' Bitch line which are really helpful.  The patterns are great if you're looking for some that don't look like your grandma knitted them.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Sheldon!

Many beginners don't realize that with a little research, it is easy to find awesome free patterns online.  You don't need to pay any money to find cute things to make.  You can always check out the links that we recommend, or a simple Google search will do.  One website that I absolutely adore is KnitPicks.  Not only do they offer a wide variety on beautiful yarns, but they also have a section devoted to free patterns.  This is where I came across Sheldon the Turtle for the first time, and ever since I have been dying to make him.  Once I realized that my best friend's birthday was coming up, who also happens to love turtles, I decided it was fate and I had to make Sheldon.

An Easy Way to Get Started (And Keep Going)

Many of us wish that we could start this or just can't remember how to do that.  But we don't have time to go to classes or the money to buy books, so we're stuck.  Or maybe not.  Many individual crafters and websites are recording videos to give you a step by step visual guide to help you craft, in whatever medium you like.  You can access these whenever you need (and however often you need) to complete your craft.  In my case, today I looked up how to do a simple knit stitch because mine just weren't coming out right.  And that's when I found the video above.  I had to replay it a few times, but eventually I realized exactly what I was doing wrong, and fixed my mistake.  Through YouTube and Google, you can find other craft video how-tos for your crafting needs.

Nemo the Elefante

Since learning to knit, I have been drawn to the adorable patterns of the various toys you can make. Before beginning this project, I had only completed two and a half projects, all of which were scarves. I thought I would be in over my head, but I soon proved to myself otherwise. Everyone, meet Nemo the Elefante.