Our Favourite Craft Blogs

Mad about knitting, silly for sewing and crazy about cross stitch? Whether you love contemporary or traditional crafts, there's probably a blog about it. Here are our favourites.

Perri Lewis

Comment, finds and lots of fun stuff from Perri. She tells us: 'The year ahead is when I actually get to start making again. This year, I've been putting together a craft book, which is out next October (2012). It's all very exciting, but of course it means I've been writing about making much more than actually making.'

'I started the blog to introduce People Who Don't Make to the wonderful world of craft. I didn't think the usual stuff - pretty pictures and tutorials - would cut it, so I wrote about the kind of stuff non-crafters would be amused by - knitted politicians, embroidered porn, cliched craft headlines in newspapers (craft has been the 'next big thing' for, ooh, the last decade), non-celebrities who claim to sew to get publicity and the rest. People still look at what I write after four or so years, so I reckon it might be working.'

makeanddowithperri.wordpress.com

Planet Penny

Clever, humourous makes, buys, patterns and tutorials. Penny tells us: 'I’ve always been a maker, and despite having to manage various issues health-wise, I graduated with a Visual Studies BA hons, but then returned home to my small Norfolk village and became lost without my network of like-minded creative people. But once I started blogging in earnest, I found a whole new network, and this one is global! It doesn’t matter that I’m sitting in a corner of a muddy field in East Anglia, I can talk crochet and cats with a bloggy friend in New Zealand as easily as I can compare knitting and Dachshund notes with another blogger in the north of England. Knowing that I’m not talking to myself, and that people are interested in what I get up to has made me be more creative, and to actually start writing patterns and tutorials to share.'

'Having built up my confidence I started selling my creations on a Folksy shop a year ago, and I’ve got all sorts of ideas for 2012! I’m linking up with a new group of creative people who will be offering a selection of craft courses in Norfolk to spread the needlefelting vibe, and I’ve been asked if I can add a tutorial on the blog too. I’ve got some ideas bubbling away on the crochet front having found a new yarn to experiment with, so new patterns to follow from that, and then there’s always knitting and embroidery and patchwork and... and... well, that’s why it’s all so much fun!'

planetpenny.co.uk

Through The Round Window

Flora Jamieson makes contemporary decorative stained glass items but her blog covers all sorts of interesting stuff - from pictures of her own designs to the work of others - or even just things she's spotted on her travels.

Flora tells us: 'I started writing the blog in March 2009 when my eldest had started school full time and my youngest was not quite two and had taken to having a looong afternoon nap. Finally, having a bit of free time, I decided I was ready to get back to designing and making stained glass, and blogging seemed like a good way to give myself a kick up the backside - I'd have to start making things again so I had something to blog about! Not only that, it was also a good way to connect with other makers (in all different media - printmaking, ceramics, painting, stitching) which I found interesting and inspiring. My blog includes a mix of my latest work, sources of inspiration, other artists' work and some general lifestyle stuff (kids, house, what we did at the weekend). My goals for the year ahead are to include things like trying to get a bit more press coverage, taking on some larger scale commissions, working in collaboration with another artist to design a window, entering work in a couple of exhibitions... oh lots of things!'

www.through-the-round-window.blogspot.com

The Blueberry Patch

Gorgeous, inspiring makes - from knitted 'paper' chains for Christmas to patchwork ironing board covers - from Sarah at The Blueberry Patch. She tells us: 'I started The Blueberry Patch blog roughly three years ago, really as a side to my website. I wanted to give people an insight into what I do, what I make and to share my love of all things crafty, and that everything I make is genuinely made by me and handcrafted in the UK! Something, I believe, is important to people now. I want to continue bringing variety in the next year to my blog and website with my ever expanding range of hand-crafted goodies.'

theblueberrypatch-sarah.blogspot.com

Lucy Kate Crafts

Fun craft makes and ideas to inspire you to get started on new projects yourself. Amy tells us: 'I began blogging as a way of joining a crafting community and networking whilst working freelance. It has helped my business grow and ultimately led to the opportunity to write a whole craft pattern book. Over the next year there is another book in the pipeline plus a range of downloadable patterns.'

lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com

The Folksy Blog

Folksy is a one stop shop and showcase for the best UK craft makes, handmade gifts and craft supplies - and the blog is handy for finding out about new sellers and news.

blog.folksy.com/