Stitch Camp

In today's thriving maker culture, kids are hungry for hands-on guidance in creating stylish wearables and practical objects, or hacking and customizing existing ones. Authors Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman get them started with complete instructions for mastering six favorite fiber crafts. Step-by-step photos teach kids ages 9–14 the basics of how to sew, knit, crochet, felt, embroider, and weave, plus how to make three projects for each craft. From woven patches and a knitted backpack to embroidered merit badges and a crocheted bracelet, the fresh, kid-approved projects encourage creative variations and build confidence along with valuable life skills. Chock-full of how-to instructions for six timeless fiber crafts and hip, functional projects, this modern guide teaches today's tweens the fun and creative pleasure of knowing how to sew, knit, crochet, embroider, weave, and felt. Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman are the coauthors of Stitch Camp. They are longtime friends and cocreators who have been crafting for many years with each other, their families, and groups of kids at home camps and studio workshops. Blum is the coauthor of Improv Sewing. Newman edits ChopChop, a nonprofit family cooking magazine, and is the author of One Mixed-Up Night, Catastrophic Happiness, and Waiting for Birdy. Blum and Newman live in western Massachusetts.

  Ready, Set, Make!



Show off your creativity and skills by embroidering a merit badge, knitting a backpack, crocheting a bracelet, weaving a key chain, and much more. With hooks and needles, thread and yarn, fabric and felt – plus a crafty spirit – you'll discover how easy it is to make fun stuff to wear and one-of-a-kind gifts to give using your own hands. Introduction: Get Ready!

Getting Started

Solo or Social

Helpful Resources



1: Sew

Getting Started

How to Thread Your Needle

How to Knot Your Thread

How to Tie Off the Thread

How to Sew a Backstitch

Project: Beanbag That Is Also a Handwarmer

How to Sew a Whipstitch

Project: Felt Envelope

How to Sew a Running Stitch

How to Sew on a Button

How to Sew a Buttonhole (or Blanket) Stitch

Project: T-Shirt Alchemy



2: Embroider

Getting Started

How to Use an Embroidery Hoop

How to Separate Your Floss

Project: Mandala Sampler

How to Sew Embroidery Stitches

Project: Art Pillow

How to Write with Thread

How to Transfer Your Drawing

Project: Scout Badge



3: Felt

Getting Started

How to Get the Sweaters

How to Felt the Fabric

Project: Arm Warmers

Project: Cut-and-Sew Mittens

Project: Monster Coin Pouch



4: Knit

Getting Started

How to Wind Yarn into a Ball

How to Make a Slip Knot

How to Cast On

How to Knit Rows

How to Cast Off

How to Weave in Ends

Project: Phone Sweater

How to Change Colors

How to Knit an I-Cord

Project: I-Cord Jump Rope

Project: Cord-Slung Backpack



5: Crochet

Getting Started

How to Chain Stitch

Project: Beaded Chain Bracelet

How to Single Crochet

How to Change Colors

Project: Pencil Roll

How to Increase Crochet Stitches

How to Decrease Crochet Stitches

Project: Hacked Sack



6: Weave

Getting Started

How to Over and Under

Project: Woven Patch

Project: Beaded Key Fob or Necklace

How to Cut a T-Shirt into a Continuous Strand

Project: Jar Jacket



Glossary

Additional Reading

Acknowledgments

Metric Conversion Chart

Index "Teach your kids and tweens how to sew, knit, crochet, felt, embroider, and weave with the new book Stitch Camp by Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman. Each technique is broken down by chapter and has a list of materials plus step-by-step instructions with plenty of pictures to guide. Once kids have the basics, they can try fun crafts like a crocheted hacky sack or a knitted Tom hat with a pom-pom. Grab some yarn, and craft away!" - FamilyFun