This group is dedicated to all those wonderful things we enjoy making! Whether you are into embroidery, sewing, cross-stitch, knitting or crocheting, beading, painting, candle making, etc. - I hope you can find some interesting hints and tips as well as patterns that you would like to use.

I probably have just as much to post here as I have with my recipes and cooking hints - so please stop by and check it out!

Let's get started -

A little of how it all started.........

Welcome to FIDGITY FINGERS!

You always hear of children who cannot sit still or they fidget all the time! Well I guess my hands fall into that category! I cannot just “sit” and do nothing. Many times while I am posting recipes on the sites I am still knitting, crocheting or working on another project as the same time.

All my life I’ve seen it done in the family - regardless of how much work, cleaning, cooking, gardening, canning, etc. was done during the day - the hands never sat idle. While the bread was rising the hands were working. While the floor was drying the hands were working. Any spare minutes - you were kept busy.

I think the only time anything was done without “crafting” (knitting, tatting, darning, crocheting, embroidery, lace making, etc.) was when you had to wash clothes in the old wringer washers which required constant attention or when you were ironing.

It was not uncommon to see women ending their day by creating or repairing something. And it was usually done out of necessity and not just as a hobby.


I’ve been knitting, crocheting, sewing, do embroidery and all different types of crafts for over 50 years now. I think I’ve done just about everything out there that has been done. Some I prefer to do more than others - but knowing how to do it has been very important to me. I hook rugs, paint, weave, do felt creations, beading, you name it.

Are there some things I do not do? Yes! I refuse to do ceramics. I do not need any more knick-knacks. With all the cooking, baking, candy making, canning and preserving, etc. - I have drawn the line with some things. I don’t have enough hours in a day now.


One of these days I would like to upgrade my sewing machine - but with proper care - it still works just as good as the day I bought it so long ago. I tried a knitting machine about 30-odd years ago and I ended up taking it back. I hated it. Now the machines have changed and I am thinking of trying it again. But my old stand-bys (left and right hands) still function quite well. Of course I would love a large loom and one thing I have never done is spun my own yarn - which I would love to do on an old spinning wheel.

Toys. Talk about all the toys out there for doing this and that. I’ve got a good selection of those too.

Anyone remember the old Knitter that came out over 30 years ago? And does anyone still do hairpin lace? What about those cute little wooden spoolies? I’ve got round, square and rectangular looms, pom pom makers, this widget, that thing-a-ma-bob - you name it. And storing it throughout the years has been an experience. Just like all the kitchen toys I have gotten throughout the years - I’ve gotten as many craft toys!

I’m lucky enough to have a sewing room - dedicated to all my craft projects.

It wasn’t always that way! And I didn’t always have all the “toys” to do things with. When I first started out I had my own craft box. It was a cigar box to hold my thimbles, crochet hooks, sewing needles, measuring tape and a 6-inch ruler. But it would not hold my embroidery hoops or my knitting needles. Forget about plastic bags - they weren’t even invented then.

A box from a wine bottle would hold knitting needles. Or even a spaghetti box or a lasagna box. But those embroidery hoops.

Eventually I sewed a “pouch” type contraption that held not only my cigar box, but my wine bottle box (which I was now using for small balls of yarn), my spaghetti box with my knitting needles in it, my embroidery hoops and get this - I was really moving up into the “big time” with all this - I was given one of those round metal tins to hold my embroidery floss! And now the patterns started to enter the pictures. Before patterns I learned by sight! See and do. Now they have patterns?? Okay - a shoe box came in handy for standing them in. And I was even given pattern books that would fit in the shoe box.

I outgrew it all. Ah! A waste paper basket - one of those old metal ones with the pretty flowers on it! YES! All my knitting needles fit in that nicely. And I could stand metal tin on its side in there too. Or the cigar box. Both really didn’t fit. And I was doing more and more crafts as well.

Now the pattern books were the size of magazines - the old-time magazines that were the size of the old Life magazines. And the “normal” size pattern books just seemed to be multiplying! I bought a magazine rack - but that also didn’t work for too long.

My sewing table barely held the bobbins, scissors, tracing wheel, etc. And my craft chair has a lift off seat cover and hold all my spools of thread. But I still didn’t feel organized enough. When I finally got a room that would be for crafts only - it got a bit easier. But in those days we still did not have all the contraptions we have today for things.

Now I can say I am comfortably organized. All yarn is stored in those large plastic totes. All knitting needles are in a plastic bin along with pom pom makers and all the other little toys that do this and that. I lucked out a few years back and found a Crayola pencil box that is reversible and opens on both sides. One side is perfect for holding my crochet hooks, stitch holders. The other side has little compartments for holding stitch markers and little things that can get lost easily. And I purchased another pencil box to hold scissors, measuring tapes, needle sizers, etc. My tapestry zip pouch with the various pockets in it holds my cable stitch holders and my dpn’s (double pointed needles) and another plastic container holds all my circular knitting needles.

One of those easy-to-open bookcases (just pull the sides open and put the feet on the bottom) gives me an instant pattern holder for the sewing patterns. Make your own dividers to separate the various patterns into categories using posterboard cut into size needed.

Thank heaven for technology and plastic! Without the plastic bins, plastic shoe boxes, pencil boxes, etc. that I use to hold everything I don’t know what I would do!

A plastic “drawered” contraption that you can buy in just about any store is great for holding many craft items. They usually come on wheels and they come in various sizes, heights, etc. Two of those a big help and they can roll in and out of the closet. Small plastic bins/containers fit on the closet shelf. Makes everything look much neater.

Tackle boxes work great for beads if you are into beading.

The one thing I wish I had - a large sewing table for making my draperies and curtains. It would have to be an 8-foot square - at least. I know what I want - so I guess the next step is to find a handyman to make it for me. And I do want a new sewing table. One of these days.

One thing for sure - I am hoping to move and I want a bigger sewing room with a walk-in closet! I need it!




I started my first sewing circle when I was 9 years old. There were about 6 of us and once a week we would meet at a different home and each mother would show us how to make something different. The first thing I taught the girls was how to make an apron. From there is was all kinds of things. Another (but smaller group) I started was for knitting. Only one of the girls from the sewing circle knitted - and only one other girl from the crew did embroidery. And the 2 other girls from the knitting club didn’t sew! Eventually we got into all kinds of things to make including painting, making leather moccasins and purses, bead work, etc.

Throughout the years we’ve done quite a bit to make do to make our knitting, crocheting and crafting easier. All my friends do crafts of some sort and we travel to each others homes with our creations in tow! It seemed easier years ago when you would make yourself a large quilted bag to hold it all (yarn, pattern, scissors, measuring tape, stitch holders and stitch markers). Tri-chem at least had it’s own paint tube holder!

My friends have come up with all sorts of various “things” to hold yarn. Sure those plastic bags are “okay” that you get from the grocery store but they can be a pain. Let’s see - friends have used those large zippered bags that comforters or bedspreads come in - downside: the zipper can catch the yarn, they can be too big for many crafts - the plus of using these bags: if there is a front flap where the picture of the bedspread was you’ve got an automatic pattern holder, they are quite durable, can hold quite a bit including the item you are working on keeping it all together, and you can “stuff” a lot in it.

For instance - I now own yarn bras! Before the invention of the yarn bra we would improvise. For instance - teaching a group how to knit or crochet can be a challenge. Yarn balls rolling around is a total distraction. I had my troop (from Camp Fire) all bring in a clean 2-liter bottle which I cut a hole in the middle to place their ball of yarn in. Thread the beginning of the thread up through the cap area of the bottle and then I would cover the “hole” with a piece of coverstock with their name on it so there was no mix-up. Some tape and we’re good to go. And it was re-useable. If you’re lucky enough to find a 2-liter bottle with the bottom cap on it - just cut the bottom off the bottle and use the bottom cap as a bottom “cover”.

Ziplock bags for smaller projects will hold small balls of yarn and you can zip it just about all the way so the balls do not pop out. Or you can punch a small hole in it to thread your yarn through.

Those plastic bags from the grocery store can be used for balls of yarn as well as long as you tie the top or seal it up with a twist tie or rubber band. Many of these bags have small holes cut in the bottom so I wouldn’t trust placing needles or small “lose-able” items in them.

If using the balls of cotton thread, find a bottle with a long neck and use that to hold your ball of yarn! Small condiment, hot sauce, etc. bottles will work.

Plastic buckets - especially the 5-gallon pails will prevent balled yarn from rolling around, holds your pattern, your needles and other goodies you need to tote. And having the handle to carry it all is great!

You can use those plastic bags that newspapers come in (personally I can’t stand that - but I have friends that use them).

I love to use wicker baskets for holding my creations while working on them. I have many different sizes of handled baskets including laundry size that I use only for crafting. I line each with a very pretty liner made from cotton fabric so that the wicker doesn’t snag my work. I can easily place everything I need for the project in the basket and I always have several baskets going at once!

One of my friends uses oatmeal canisters to hold her yarn - just punch a hole in the canister! Also holds your knitting needles. Why not use a coffee canister as well? Plastic ones or even the metal ones - just poke a hole in the covers.

Need a bra for your yarn? Why not use a clean knee-high stocking? Or take apart a scrubbie - that will give you several bras!

Curtain bags are nice to use for holding yarn as well - and many have a “hanger” top. Purchase a bar-style towel holder and install in your craft closet to hang your bags on.

Long bread loaf bags hold 1-pound skeins well.

Pringles cans and those powdered drink containers (Crystal Light) come in handy for holding knitting and crochet needles! And don’t forget tennis ball containers!

One of my friends has a hubbie that is a plumber. PCV pipe cut in 2 different lengths and one end capped will make great needle holders! And the piping comes in different diameters - so chose your own size.

If you limit yourself to how many craft “toys” you plan on using - one of those roll-up jewelry bags that are used for travel will keep may of your needles and accessories together for you.

Travel toothbrush holders will hold crochet hooks and will fit right into your purse - no chance of getting lost when traveling with your project. How about an old eyeglass case?

Altoids, Sucrets and such containers are great to hold those little stitch markers, tip holders, etc. Even those little mini M & M tubes.

Speaking of stitch markers - I think I‘ve seen just about everything possible used! Cut straws into thin rings, the fast food restaurants have fatter straws for bigger needles; old hoop earrings; those pony tail holders that you buy by the hundreds in the dollar store; beads; the plastic tags off packages of breads and rolls, twist ties, curtain hooks, the rings off milk container for the bulky needles, any rings off any sealed containers, washers, O-rings, raid hubbies tool box!! - you name it! I guess it’s true when they say - desperate women do desperate things! And we know just how to make-do when we have to.

Pill bottles are nice to hold little things as well - just ask your druggist for regular caps and not the child proof caps.

Empty baby wipe or handi-wipe containers will hold crochet hooks, scissors, etc.

Hat boxes are sturdy and hold up well; they also hold quite a bit. You can always punch a hole in the top to feed your yarn through.

Clorox bottles, plastic milk jugs, etc. not only can have a hole cut to hold your yarn but the handle makes it easy to carry around.

A 2-quart plastic pitcher holds yarn. (Ok - she dropped it and the bottom cracked and did not want to throw it and found a use for it!) And - DON’T LAUGH - those large plastic snack containers (like pretzel barrels) work well for holding yarn as well.

Tools boxes can hold everything for some.

If you enjoy sewing you can make your own “everything” holder - just purchase a yard of material and start cutting 2 strips one for holding long needles, etc. and another for shorter items, scissors, measuring tapes, miscellaneous items. Stitch “pockets” on the shorter strip attaching it to the larger while doing the same with the wider strip that you attaching to the “back”. You can get as fancy as you want by using quilted material for the backing, etc. Use your imagination.

Three-ring binders are great for holding patterns; page protectors are a plus. But did you know that you can punch holes in the bottoms of ziplock bags and store your circular needles in the bags. Label with sizes.

Those plastic shoe bags that hang in your closet can be attached to a closet door - each “shoe” holder will hold all sorts of goodies.

An easy way to NOT lose your plastic stitch holders is to thread them on a large safety pin or a kilt pin.

Stitch markers come in handy for several reasons, even if they are not needed in a pattern you can still use them to mark off stitches changes, increased or decreased stitches, they can be used for stitch count by placing every 10, 20, 25 or 50 stitches for easier counting (great help for casting on a lot of stitches when you have many distractions!

You can mark your chain stitches for your foundation row when crocheting by placing safety pins every 25 (for example) chain stitches.

Depending on your pattern, kilt pins, large safety pins, hooks cut off wire hangers and small dpn’s make nice stitch holders. You can also use bamboo skewers.

Speaking of bamboo skewers - they are great to use for pinning your creation together. Hem clips, bobby pins, clothes pins, mini-clothes pins - all come in handy for that as well.

I always keep a notebook handy when working on a project. There are many that I do not even use a pattern for - but there are many that I do need to track what I am doing. If kept neatly - it is a nice reference for you to use for future projects or for incorporating into something you want to create yourself.

For most patterns I prefer to use a spiral notebook and start to write my notes and do my tracking on the “back” page so that when I am reading it I do not have to turn the page. And leave enough room for notes.










You may wonder why anyone would enjoy knitting or crocheting and what the difference is between them.

Most will say that crochet goes much faster and that the finished product is much softer. But it all depends on what you want to make. I enjoy them both - it doesn’t matter to me.

For anyone who has never picked up a knitting needle or crochet hook - all I would say is - try it. Purchase a needle and a skein of yarn and practice some stitches. Practice makes perfect. There are plenty of groups and places that have beginner classes as well. Start with a few stitches to practice and when you feel a bit more confident make an easy “beginner” project. There are many such patterns that are very simple.

I will be posting patterns for the novice and the experienced - and I hope you enjoy them!