• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Buy a New Phone Case for a Great Cause

November 26, 2015 by Sarah White

needle arts phone caseIf you have fiber-fanatic friends to shop for this holiday season, or you just want to get a little something for yourself to support a great cause, check out the cell phone cases that will be on sale from November 30 through December 7.

The cases feature all sorts of fiber arts, which makes sense because they’re being sold as a fundraiser for the Needle Arts Mentoring Program. The program provides kits to teach kids about knitting, crochet, cross stitch, needlepoint, spinning and weaving. The kits include instructions and materials to get started and complete a project or two.

The cases will be available for 31 different phone models, and a portion of the proceeds from each $20 sale will go toward buying supplies to make the kits.

You can also help out by donating cash or supplies (check out their current needs), or helping out with or starting a program to teach kids where you live.

Have you ever taught someone a yarn craft? It’s a great thing to do with young ones around the holidays!

[Photo via the Needle Arts Mentoring Program.]

Next Pattern:

  • What is a Shawl Cuff, How to Make or Where to Buy Your Own
  • Knit a Wrap for a Good Cause
  • A Knitting Marathon for a Good Cause
«
»

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

Categories

baby hat Baby Patterns Beginner Book Reviews cardigan Christmas CraftGossip Giveaways Craft News and Events Free Kntting Patterns Giveaways! Hats Knitting Articles Of Interest Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Ideas mittens Quick scarf shawl patterns socks Sweaters

RSS More Articles

  • The Perfect Sewing Guide for Making Indian Clothes
  • Minecraft Learning Activities
  • Knit a Spiky Balaclava
  • 12 Scrapbook Layout Ideas using Repeated Shapes
  • Upcycling or Hoarding? Why Your DIY Projects Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good
  • Circle Of Leaves Afghan Pattern
  • Make a Stunning DIY Paper Vase – A Creative and Budget-Friendly Craft
  • How to Make a Rag Quilt – An Easy, Cozy Beginner-Friendly Tutorial
  • A Cross Stitch I Spy at the Beach
  • This Artist’s Breathtaking Embroidery Paintings Will Make You Rethink Needlework Forever

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy