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Hey everyone, Karisa here with a new Meet the Editor post! Today we’re talking to Caitlin, the editor of AllFreeKnitting.com.
Caitlin was born and raised in Kenosha, Wis., where she developed an incredible adoration for cheese and Italian food – but surprisingly not beer and brats, much to her state’s dismay. When she’s not frequenting antique shops and thrift stores, she loves to read and write, listen to live music and to explain the true meaning of the phrase, “How ’bout them apples?” to her husband (he’s British). She loves dabbling in all sorts of crafts, including knitting, scrapbooking and sewing. Narrowing down her interests is near impossible, but she does have a soft spot for any craft projects that are vintage or vintage inspired. If you don’t find her at Starbucks gleefully sipping tea or coffee, you’ll probably find her waiting in line for a Muse concert, complete with a homemade song lyrics t-shirt. She’s a little obsessed with that band.
Learn some more fun facts about Caitlin:
- Are you a crafter? What crafts do you like to do?
Yes, and I’m self-diagnosed with Crafting ADD; I tend to get super excited about hundreds of projects, start them all at the same time, and then only finish about 1/4 of them – if I’m lucky. I’m really up to trying any type of craft, but a few of my favorites are knitting, scrapbooking, sewing and pottery.
- How long have you been crafting?
Probably as early as 3. I can still remember braiding and gluing dandelions together into headbands with my grandma. To this day, every time I see those flowers I immediately think of her. - If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five craft supplies or tools would you want with you?
I’d definitely want some knitting needles and yarn with me so I could pass the time knitting. Also maybe some thread, sewing needles and Mod Podge – because that stuff is just magic. - What craft have you always wanted to try?
I’d love to do more woodwork! I like the idea of hacking apart pieces of wood to make something artsy. Not sure what that says about me. - Have you ever had a craft fail? Tell us about it!
Yes, you could say that! Let’s see, aside from super-gluing my fingers together and making myself bleed with a needle felting needle, there is one particular time that stands out. A few months ago, I found this gorgeous tutorial for a wall garden on Pinterest, and immediately went out to buy supplies. After spending nearly a week trying to build my own shadowbox (my husband and I had to buy three different types of nails and even broke a power drill in the process), I happily painted it and planted my succulents. It looked stunning! Fast forward to a few weeks and what was once a gorgeous boxed garden became a shadowbox of death; every single plant had died. I guess I didn’t inherit my grandmother’s green thumb after all.
Check out some of Caitlin’s favorite projects from all of our crafty sites:
Sewing Tutorials:
The Jersey Skirt
Flower Pillow
Anthropologie Smoldering Hues Shower Curtain
Anthro Knock Off Akela Necklace
Knitting Tutorials:
Orange Cream Scarf
Goddess Lace Ladder Scarf
Log Cabin Washcloths
Accordion Cowl
Crochet Tutorials:
Crocheted Daisy Rug
Dainty Green Scarf
Crochet Lace Shell Scarf
Flutter By Butterfly Dishcloth
Holiday Crafts:
Easy Breezy Summer Scarves
Vintage Inspired Skirt
Fabulous Wreath from Toilet Paper Rolls
A Scarf for Spring
Quilt Tutorials:
Improv Log Cabin Quilt Block
Quilted Yoga Mat
Rail Fence Pizzazz
Wonky Log Cabin Throw
Crochet Afghan Patterns
Colorful Crayon Afghan
Colorful Circle in a Square
Bumble Berry Afghan
Calypso Wave Afghan
Jewelry Making:
Vintage Inspired Green Beaded Necklace
Cleopatra Necklace
Rosette Nest Ring
Gladiator Necklace
Craft Tutorials:
Colorful Wall Art
Trendy Elastic Waistband Dress
Crepe Paper Rose Bouquet
Mosaic Wall
Christmas Craft Tutorials:
Root Deer
Snowman Light Bulb Ornament
Felt Snowman Stocking
CD Christmas Ornament
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Caitlin,Hello,
I too, have been a crafts person all most all my life.I always try on a pattern the way the directions are for the first time, then see what other methods are possible. Started doing th “domino” style of knitting, found that to just pick up stitches on the sides of finished dominos was easier and more efficient than sewing them together after all were made. At the present time, I am using up remainders of yarn that are too small to create a type of patch work piece–have no idea what the end project will be, but it gets rid of yarn which does not cry out to become a specific project.
Good for you, keep trying all sorts of stuff. Was interested to read that the current popular term “Tunesian” knitting evolved from “Slip stitch” methods.A new term to make some thing old seem new again and more exotic.
Virginia
Hi Caitlin,
I an American Expat living in Jakarta, Indonesia, and I love getting my daily knitting and crochet emails, but today: I was blown away by your bio!!!
I was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin too! I’m a 1982 graduate of Tremper HS.
So, what a small world. I talk about Kenosha all the time (I call it my Home-Village when I talk to my Indonesian friends) and miss it. We’ve been on international assignments for 12 years.
I was back in Kenosha for the first time in 15 years last summer for my Mother’s Funeral. We visited my old house on 2nd Avenue, across from Southport park the day before the big tornado went through and uprooted all my favorite trees. I’m glad I was able to show my 8 year old daughter and husband how it was when I was a kid growing up there.
How about you? Do you still live there or ??? I didn’t get to a yarn store when I was there (Fiddleheads?), but wish I did, as I’m an avid knitter with a huge stash since I can’t buy any good quality yarn here in Indonesia.
Well, how about them apples, don’tcha know, now!
Mary Lee (Baumgartner) Stenson
Hi Caitlin;
My name is John, yes, I’m a guy! I served in the US Navy on submarines in the Pacific back in the ’70’s and 80’s. One of the officer wives showed several of us how to crochet to while away the hours when we were off watch and had already read through the ship’s library.
When we were submerged and within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles it got pretty cold in the boat, so we learned to make throws or afghans (the difference eludes me)to keep warm when we slept. When we were on watch some of the guys would borrow our throws…often with our permission.
Needless to say the art of crochet has kept with me all these years…it’s just another form of tying knots with a different type of marlinspike.
Now to the point, would it be possible to have a crochet or knitting category for men? With projects other than scarfs, hats, and mittens! A sweater vest, aka Rick Santorum…maybe some special knot craft, like Turk’s head or Monkey’s fist, etc.
I enjoy the site and could spend hours browsing. I’ve made several afghans and sock slippers but would sure like to try my hand at something a bit different.
Crochet and knitting crafts are not exclusively for women folk! Some of us more burly types can enjoy the art as well!