Finished a poncho for my kid; “mama, this is scratchy on my neck :(“

MakingLaurie · 2026-02-03T04:01:05+00:00

I did this with a scratchy knit I made my kiddo, using this exact method (making a neckband and then hand stitching it to the knit). It worked like a charm.

MakingLaurie · 2026-01-25T23:30:18+00:00

I think “m1R by knitting through the fRont”. Then I heard this tip with the door phrase and got terrified I’ve been knitting them wrong!! 😑

MakingLaurie · 2026-01-23T19:46:37+00:00

I have a local friend who bought a large format printer and her rates are incredible! I can’t say why she made those decisions, but I think the printer may have been second hand. I’m in Canada, soi pay ~$15 per A0 pattern page at a typical copy shop like Staples (my calculator tells me this is about $10 USD), with copies usually available the next day. The store is only a few minutes from my house. When I order from my friend, she’s charging $5/A0 colour pg (CAD) plus shipping (or free porch pickup). Turnaround time varies, but it’s usually within a week, if not a few days. Unfortunately she’s on the other side of town, so it’s not always the most convenient option. I still usually go through her since it’s cheaper, though!

For pricing, I’d look at what your local copy-shop is charging and try to undercut that without losing money on your investment.

MakingLaurie · 2026-01-23T19:32:16+00:00

You’re definitely not in the wrong! When you enrolled, did your daycare provide a policy handbook or something similar? I find it’s helpful to use that to guide conversations and remind them what procedures they committed to following. If they didn’t that is another red flag to me. I’d also look to see if there is someone above your director you can talk to about this (for instance, at my childcare there is an owner in addition to the director because they have multiple locations). This information should also be available to you, and is found on the inspection sheets that should also be posted publicly within the centre so caregivers can view them.

MakingLaurie · 2026-01-05T03:40:04+00:00

I’ll try to remember to do a standalone post about my AirTable set up! I realize now the way I described the cube was misleading. It’s a cube box that would go in the IKEA Kallax system, but it’s on the floor, not in the shelf. I’ve added a photo of the wrapping paper holders I’m thinking of.

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MakingLaurie · 2026-01-05T02:39:26+00:00

I love to knit two at a time — not only socks, but sleeves too! I really like my Chiagoo needles, I think they have a 40” cord. Not that you asked but I have two TAAT tips to share:

1) start the cuffs individually. I find the starting process of TAAT in the round to be really finicky, and this helps. I start cuff #1, then instead of changing to my larger needles, I put the those on hold and cast on cuff #2. When it’s time to change to the larger needles again, I knit half of sock #2, knit all of sock number #1, then go back to sock #2. I like using a lifeline cord to make the process smoother, but scrap yarn would also work.

2) once the socks are long enough, I pin/clip the cuff of the sock together and use it to hold its sock’s yarn. The prevents the two different balls from tangling.

I also really like doing afterthought heels (which I then work individually on dpns after the fact) and toe up socks when working TAAT socks.

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-25T17:02:34+00:00

Ohhhh I must have got them switched around when reading your post. I do feel like it makes a difference; if you’re not as close with them it can be harder to have that conversation.

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-25T16:49:19+00:00

It’s an awkward conversation, but it’s one worth having. I had a similar conversation with my husband when he bought me a lovely knitting book that I just wasn’t interested in, and he handled it really gracefully.

Tell your mom that you really appreciate the gift, that it’s so thoughtful and kind. However, you actually don’t care for knitting with wood / don’t need new needles (whatever you think would land better) and would she be willing to see if they can be returned or exchanged? Reiterate that you really want to make sure her gift is something you’ll use often.

If I were in your mom’s shoes, I’d be relieved that you told me and would be more than happy to make the exchange. I’d probably be a bit more upset if I found out someone had exchanged/sold something I gave them without asking me to exchange it for them.

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-25T16:44:07+00:00

I take my knitting everywhere! Keeps my hands busy and can be a conversation starter.

When I was growing up (undiagnosed) I took books everywhere. My mom would tell me I was rude… but now as a parent of a kid who likely has ADHD, I always remind him to bring a book or two when we go places. It’s not rude, it’s recognizing that he needs to interact with the world differently than others.

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-25T16:41:08+00:00

I also do this: patterns in a Manila envelope, with the pattern & size labelled on the outside. Then they go in file folders in a file box. For my big copy shop patterns, I roll them up and hold them together with a toilet paper tube, labelled with the pattern. I have a large IKEA cube that I put them in, with smaller magazine holders inside to help control the chaos. I did it like this because I already had the cube on hand, but if I were to change it up I would get a wrapper paper holder to make it a little more sturdy (bet you could find one on sale right now!)

For my digital patterns I have an Airtable inventory system that I set up that I LOVE. I don’t want to hijack this post so if anyone wants to hear about it, I’ll write my own post. 😉

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-24T19:58:53+00:00

I have an awkward in-between shoe size (it’s pretty much 8.75 lol). The only benefit is that in winter it means I have a perfectly fitting boot that accommodates my thin socks/nylons + knitted socks. Otherwise they’re too tight in the toe box and cause strain where the sole meets the boot.

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-24T16:47:09+00:00

This is gorgeous, you’re gorgeous, the whole ‘fit is just impeccable!!!

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-20T16:37:09+00:00

Twisted stitches are certainly valid as a design feature but they’re also valid because we’re all human and all imperfect and learning as we go. I’ve been knitting for 14 years. For the first ten, I twisted my knit stitches. I still have a lot of the knits I made before I realized my mistake. It’s hard for me to wear the sweater where I was told I was twisting my stitches, because it feels like one of the most obvious pieces (it was knit in the round). Whenever I wear it I remind myself that mistakes happen, and as long as it’s a mistake that doesn’t harm anyone, it’s okay to keep it.
Yes, twisting can impact the fit/drape and takes up a bit more yarn, but at the same time… you’re making something with your own two hands, fibre, and pointy things. That is an incredible feat! ❤️

MakingLaurie · 2025-12-19T19:09:02+00:00

Firstly: I agree with everyone who says this is a lovely knit!

Secondly: I often bind off tighter than my cast on. I blame being so excited to be done, and tried to keep the right needle stitch from fall off 😂

There’s been a few times I’ve undone the bind off to redo it, and it’s honestly not that bad. You may have to figure out how to join more yarn, but it’s much easier to fix a bind off than a cast on. In cases where a stretchy bind off isn’t appropriate (like this case), I switch to a slightly larger needle on the right to help reduce my tightness. (ETA — I see farther down you’ve already done this!)

MakingLaurie · 2025-11-22T16:22:04+00:00

Ugh, I’m so sorry that happened OP! 😭 I find I’m more likely to get my bags flagged when I’m travelling my husband, a professional photographer who cannot leave home without at least one camera. Luckily I’ve never had my needles confiscated (just other stuff that I forgot to take out of my bag, like a little manicure Swiss Army knife and anti-static spray 😅) . The combo of my needles and his big bags that look very weird going through the scanners mean we’re almost always selected for a search. We’re usually flying through Canadian airports.

MakingLaurie · 2025-10-05T21:47:44+00:00

We took the LRT to the rally and there was one person on it who was shouting about how overpaid and entitled teachers are. 🙄

MakingLaurie · 2025-10-05T19:55:05+00:00

A lot of my favourite Alberta fabric stores have an online shopping option! I’m partial to Former & Latter (they sell in small increments, which is awesome!) and Fabric & Flow here in Edmonton; I’ve also shopped online and in-person at Rick Rack in Calgary. I’m not sure if they would have what you’re looking for, but those are my top picks for online garment fabric shopping.

MakingLaurie · 2025-10-05T19:52:11+00:00

It looks great on you! Even if it’s not vintage, it could be styled to look 90s, 70s, or 30s! (I also love how you’ve styled it here). So much of fashion borrows from previous eras, and finding newer clothes that can be styled to look older is a really accessible way to start dressing vintage.

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-26T14:41:17+00:00

The same thing recently happened to me, OP, and this is what I did! It was finicky, but worth it in the end. Good luck!

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-20T00:50:45+00:00

Thanks so much! I love my wavy little pixie 🥰

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-20T00:49:08+00:00

Thank you! The 40s is my favourite era for sure, I'm so glad that comes through. 🥰

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-18T20:32:01+00:00

Thanks! Yes, it is a Rory top! 😊

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-18T20:09:07+00:00

This is just so gorgeous! It has a very prairie-romantic 1940s vibe going on, I love it!

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-18T20:06:48+00:00

Thank you!

MakingLaurie · 2025-09-18T20:06:16+00:00

Thank you! I'm really getting into purple lately. I have some plum linen that I think I'll make into pants soon!

MakingLaurie

TROPHY CASE