Menu bar
Tiny Tulips Slippers – easy knitting pattern for summer socks
Garden Picnic Top — A New Knitting Pattern Inspired by Sunshine, Texture, and Slow Days Outdoors
There is something magical about classic silhouettes paired with textured stitches - a kind of timeless comfort that feels both familiar and fresh. Inspired by that love, I’ve designed a new knitted top that captures the feeling of slow, cosy afternoons outside: the Garden Picnic Top.
To see some behind the scene photos and video tutorials follow me on Instagram and subscribe to YouTube channel.
The main feature of this design is the basket stitch front. Its geometric texture instantly brings to mind those peaceful garden moments - a glass of refreshing juice, a favourite snack, flowers all around, and the kind of sunshine that makes everything feel softer.
During the photo shoot, I tried to create that exact mood. Ironically, despite the bright sunshine, it was freezing - I only have taken my coat off for a few minutes to get the shots. The things we do for knitting.
To balance the textured front, the back and sleeves are worked in smooth stockinette stitch, giving the top a clean, classic look. The edges are finished with simple ribbing, keeping everything neat and wearable.
One of my favourite things about this design is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the length - crop it for a modern silhouette or knit it longer for a more relaxed, traditional fit. It’s a pattern that adapts to your style rather than the other way around.
For my sample, I used a 5‑ply (sport weight) cotton yarn in a soft light grey. The stitch definition is lovely, and the cotton gives it a crisp, summery feel.
But honestly, this top is incredibly versatile. It would look beautiful in: wool for warmth and bounce, silk for drape and sheen, acrylic for easy care or any blend that speaks to your wardrobe and your knitting preferences. The basket stitch texture shines no matter the fibre.
The Garden Picnic Top is easy to follow, even if you’ve newer knitted a garment. I’ve included a video tutorial for setting in the sleeves, so you can knit with confidence from cast-on to finishing.
You can find the pattern on Ravelry and Lovecrafts.
Ravelry Promo codes: 310 - to get 10% off for 3x patterns; 515 - to get 15% off for 5x patterns
Easy Knitted Slippers Pattern - Gentle Steps for All Ages
While working away on my new knitting designs (coming soon!), I somehow found myself knitting… yet another pair of cosy slippers!
Did I already mention that after years of not knitting socks, I’m now completely addicted? Probably I did… 😉
Anyway, I’m really happy to introduce my newest design to you today - the Gentle Steps Slippers!
My idea was to create super simple, almost invisible slippers with a clean, minimalist look. After some thinking and swatching, I realized that good old stockinette stitch was the best choice — even if it’s not something I usually go for!
Even the edge band is done in stockinette. And I actually included two versions of the edge band in the pattern - more on that below.
To make my pair special, I added a few little embroidered hearts - just a sweet detail. There's a photo tutorial in the pattern and a video tutorial on my YouTube channel if you’d like to add them too, but of course, feel free to skip them! The slippers also look great plain, especially if you use multicoloured or speckled yarn.
Tutorial is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhBfSVO3Aw
About the pattern:
- Beginner-friendly.
- Written for both children and adults.
- Knit toe-up, with a shaped sole, short-row heel, and finished with an edge band.
- Uses 4-ply sock yarn
Edge band options:
- Simple stockinette edge — clean, minimal, and perfect for quiet days at home
- Double-layered edge band — designed with busy kids (or active adults!) in mind. It offers a snugger fit and you can even add a thin elastic cord inside if needed!
Knitting pattern for Gentle Steps Slippers is available from Ravelry and Lovecrafts.
To see some behind the scene photos you can follow me on Instagram.
You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.
Handmade with love super bundle 2017 and giveaway
In the meantime, you can enter a great giveaway from Ultimate Bundles.
Would you like to win a Cricut Maker Machine ($400), a Brother Embroidery and Sewing Machine ($390) or any of 18 other prizes?
There are 20 great prizes (worth almost $4,000 altogether!), so you’ll definitely find something crafty that you would love.

With good choice of categories like Knitting & Crochet; Embroidery & Cross-Stitch; Sewing, Quilting, & Applique, and Mixed Media Fiber Arts (like Weaving), there is something exciting for every crafter.
So take two minutes and follow the link to enter:
https://us154.isrefer.com/go/HWLSB2017/a11782/
You’ll pick your category, and enter your name and email address. That’s it!
Then you sit back and wait to see if you win.
Just don’t wait, because you must enter by November 26!
5 ways to use ChalkOla wet wipe markers – product review and discount code.
So, I received two sets – ChalkOla Earth Color Series and ChalkOla Party Colors. These markers designed to use on any non-porous surfaces and craft paper. They contain liquid chalk (looks like quick dry paint) inside.
Description from ChalkOla: “These 6mm Bullet Tip Markers - replace Regular chalk which leads to dust, dull creative art. Chalkola dry erase markers are a great option if you want bold and smooth letters that won’t be smudged. It is easy to write with and can be used for kid’s projects, brainstorming ideas in your Workplace, Cafe Menu, Message boards, creating art at home…”
These markers require some preparation before first use. You need to shake the marker well with cap on and up-right, remove the cap and the press the tip to and fro multiple times to get the ink flowing. But you need to be careful and do not press for too long. Otherwise you can have too much ink coming out which can slightly splash around. But after a couple of prepared markers you should be fine.
These markers have a very beautiful bright and saturated colors comparing to other types of wipe markers. Also, the white marker is included into both sets. It was the main reason why I wanted to try this product.
The ink takes some time to dry and can be easily cleaned off with the wet wipe. I used baby wipes for this which I’ve got plenty around as a mom of two busy toddlers.
So below my five ideas how you can use these markers around your house.
1. Chalk board is a first surface I’ve tried to use the ChalkOla pens. It is so easy to create a beautiful picture (for those who is good at drawing) or write a message and have no chalk dust. There is no nasty smell from these markers like from some others.
2. White magnetic board. Normally white boards are used for presentations and explanations in the manner “write and wipe”. But these markers are not suitable for this purpose as it is not possible to wipe the dried ink off very quickly and with no mess. Normally it is required a couple of wet wipes to clean the surface completely. You should rather draw a picture and keep it for some time. Also if you try to add more details to your drawing after chalk ink dried the marker will take out the previous layer of chalk ink.
3. Mirrors, windows or any other glass surfaces around the house. This is one of my favourite ideas. You can write a reminder for yourself, message to your family or decorate your windows for the coming Christmas and New Year. I’ve tried to decorate my dressing table mirror with white marker and left my message to my “beloved Santa” :) This weekend I’m going to decorate my windows with Christmas stickers and use ChalkOla markers too!
4. Decoration and labelling of indoor plant pots, glasses or any other glass kitchen jars. It is one of good ideas too! You can decorate you plant pots as many times as you want, so they would match your mood, style or time of year (why not?) Or maybe you’ve got couple of old dull Christmas bobbles. Why not give them a new life?
5. Drawing pictures on craft paper. I’m not a good painter so I don’t show my drawings to anyone. But I’ve got my sketchbook so I’ve tried using ChalkOla markers on the paper too. It feels like you drawing with the acrylic paint but with a hard tip. Marker will slightly scratch the paper surface if you keep drawing at the same place longer than 5 seconds or so. Remember it is a wet marker so it makes the paper wet and soft. So be quick. Probably on the smoother paper surface it would be better.
6. My last creative idea is to give ChalkOla wet wipe markers to your child! Kids are normally have so many creative ideas. But do not forget to explain how and where to use this product to keep the parents happy. My daughter loves these markers. They are so bright and easy to use on her chalk board (with my help of cause :).
Quick summary:
This is a new type of product for me and I like it. I believe it would be a good gift for a child or creative person. It can be used as a craft product as well as around the house. The only thing I don’t like about ChalkOla markers is a cheap plastic packaging with sharp edges. I love keeping markers and pens in original cases. Because my daughter uses these markers too and she is only 3 years old I have to find a proper case to make sure she doesn’t damage her fingers.
ChalkOla offers a 20% discount on all ChalkOla products for my reads. Please use Coupon Code - 20OFFSTR
ChalkOla Set of 10 Party Colors - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-markers-Whiteboard-Chalkboard/dp/B00VVOWCSC
ChalkOla Set of 8 Earth Colors - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-Whiteboard-Chalkboard-Blackboard/dp/B01E17WAQO
Disclosure: I was given these products free of charge for my honest independent review. All opinions are my own. I would have no any benefit if your purchase these products following the links above.



























