It’s hard to believe, but my first book, Epic Tomatoes, is almost two years old already. Thinking back on the time that has passed since its publication, I don’t think I could have predicted that a book about growing the best tomatoes would serve as a … Read More

I had just made the hard decision to leave my internship design position for work as a graphic designer at a super-cool design studio in New York City. At about 10:30 a.m. on my first day, the creative director — who had been friendly and … Read More

Each year, The National NeedleArts Association’s Spinning and Weaving Group challenges spinners around the world to spin as much yarn as they can during a single week in October. Teams compete for the highest totals, all for a good cause, and everyone who … Read More

I am often asked where I find inspiration for my knitted designs. The answer is never an easy one. Sometimes, an image or a feature of the landscape catches my attention and I wonder whether I could represent it in a knitted fabric. Sometimes it’s … Read More

For this Storey author, 2014 was a big year. In support of the release of my book, Cooking with Fire, I traveled the country meeting scores of interesting people and making cooking fires in (or in the parking lots of) some unusual places: … Read More

Knitting Fabric Rugs, Karen Tiede’s new book, shows crafters of every level how to create striking floor coverings and wall hangings from upcycled fabric, using large needles and a simple knit stitch. A lifelong knitter, Karen was drawn to cloth rugs by the economical and … Read More

Cookbook writing, like most writing, is done in isolation. For stretches of months and months, it’s just you researching, you in the kitchen developing recipes, and you typing at the computer. True, there is the tremendous satisfaction of serving recipe-tested results to guests — receiving … Read More

It might sound obvious, but how a knitter chooses to follow a written pattern has a big impact on the look of the finished product. So when you encounter that line in your knitting pattern telling you simply to“increase” or “decrease” the number of stitches … Read More

When I was a junior in high school, I spent my time running, jumping, and hurdling for the Madison West High track team, wondering about the identity of the secret admirer who sent me carnations, and talking on the phone with friends. I was not … Read More

I met a friend for coffee and crafting recently, and as usual I brought my portable English paper piecing kit — a flat box filled with small paper templates, fabric scraps, and my trusty needles and threads. As I contentedly sat there basting one hexagon … Read More