Scott Russell has been involved in home-brewing for over 30 years. From a chance experience with his first beer-making kit, Scott’s exploration of brewed beverages has led to roles as home-brew store manager, brew club organizer, author, and teacher. Join me for a chat with The Homebrew Guru himself as we discuss the creative aspects
Holiday Traditions: Family, friends, and feasts
Over the years, we’ve adapted our holiday traditions to fit the holiday elements that we value most, namely: spending quality time with friends and family, eating and sharing delicious homemade food and drink, and making and giving practical gifts. We hope you’ll be inspired by the stories we tell in the video, and share some
6: Donna Druchunas – teacher, designer, craftivist
Donna Druchunas is a full-time knitting and crochet instructor and designer. She has published dozens of books and booklets, taught hundreds, even arranged knitterly tours. Join us for a conversation about knitting traditions, diversifying as a small business owner, and finding community in craftivism. Find Donna’s books, information about her classes, and upcoming knit-alongs at
5: The Felted Gnome Knows: Susi Ryan’s Felted Fantasy
Susi Ryan and her love of magic and fairy tales is reflected in her fantastical creatures and whimsical artworks. Using the technique of needle felting, where wool is painstakingly built up and embellished, Susi creates creatures, figures and even hats with a charming personality all their own. From an impromptu purchase of a felting kit
Getting started with dyeing yarn: lessons learned
When I first started to learn about natural dyeing, I was befuddled by a lot of vague information I found on the internet. Experiments on my own yielded very mixed results. After taking a class with Rebecca Burgess, I understood that there are tried-and-true techniques for getting consistent results. With lessons fresh in our minds,
4: Brocklebank Craft Brewing: Beyond pale ale
Ben Linehan, owner of Brocklebank Craft Brewing, knows what he likes: crafting easy-drinking beers with subtle flavors; brewing on a small-scale and part-time basis; keeping his beer and his community involvement engaged on a local scale. Join us for a conversation with Ben and Anne Linehan, the husband and wife team behind Brocklebank Craft Brewing
Lace sweater: technical challenge and project victory
Once upon a time, I came across Veronik Avery‘s pattern for an origami-inspired lace sweater. It’s a timeless garment with a classic texture and a modern style. After discovering I had a good yarn to use in my stash (USA – made Quince & Co.), I cast on with glee and knit away with fury.
Striped sweater: inspiration and design
I thought I knew what my next sweater was going to be: a semisolid version of Kate Davies’ owls (because, how could you not want a sweater with owls on it?!). And yes, I do want that sweater and I will eventually knit it. But I got sidetracked into thinking about a striped sweater for
3: Tammy White, Fiber Farmer at Wing & A Prayer Farm
Like so many farmers, Tammy White does a lot. She’s a fiber specialist, raising sheep, angora goats, alpaca and other non-fiber animals as well. She’s a teacher and facilitator, opening the farm to workshop participants and taking her classes on the road. She’s a baker, a gardener, a marketer. She’s a collaborator and co-conspirator with
Pumpkin Pie: an easy version of the American classic
I had never really loved pumpkin pie until I started experimenting with a recipe from The Recipe Cottage, which a former co-worker shared with me. After some tweaking, I found that I really enjoyed the creamy texture and strong pumpkin flavor of this version of an American classic. Ingredients 1 medium pie pumpkin (or other