Hello! Ready to build a cozy lifestyle? You’ve found the right place. Search for a guide or browse all of my Blog Articles here in the PurlsAndPixels article archives. You’ll find knitting, gardening, cooking, and homesteading ideas to help you create your own cozy lifestyle.
💞 Liz Chandler
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Home » ArticlesThis super-bulky knit placemat is intentionally designed as a first knitting project…
Home » ArticlesAs a new knitter, you’ll discover an exciting world of yarn and knitting needles. To…
Home » ArticlesStep-by-step knitting lessons for kids 🧶 Hi, friends! Do you want to make your own…
Home » Articles(And How to Fix Knitting Mistakes Without Starting Over) Something is twisted. It is…
Home » ArticlesLearn to Crochet Online with Free Crochet Lessons from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels…
Home » ArticlesWhy I Stock Ingredients, Not Meals. 🍽️ I didn’t realize I was doing it, until…
Home » ArticlesHalloween DIY Craft Roundup: Knitting, Crochet, and Craft Patterns from Liz Chandler…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels Looking for a fast and festive knit? The Chunky Ghost…
Home » ArticlesHint: Sometimes It Means Replay This Part 🎵🧶 In knitting patterns, * * marks a…
Home » ArticlesKnit This Now, Stay Warm Later 🧣 You feel that, right? That first spark of cold that…
Home » ArticlesThis super-bulky candy toy pillow is intentionally designed as a final…
Home » ArticlesThe Tech Trap and My Mini-Digital Detox Tips 📵✨ Here is the truth: I hate my…
Home » ArticlesThis super-bulky knit coaster is intentionally designed as a first knitting project…
Home » ArticlesWarm Decor Ideas for National Coffee Day ☕ Happy National Coffee Day! 🎉 Today is the…
Home » ArticlesHint: Sometimes It Means Be Over 🧶 Every knitting project eventually needs to end…
Home » ArticlesUnraveling a Mystery 🧶 I was just working on my upcoming kids’ knitting book when I…
Home » ArticlesHow to Keep Chickens from Leaving Poo in the Nest Boxes 🥚🐔 If you’ve ever reached…
Home » ArticlesThe Trending Color for Fall Fashion 🍂 Every fall, the fashion world tries to make…
Home » ArticlesHint: Sometimes It Means Can’t Overthink 🧶 Every knitting project starts with CO. In…
Home » ArticlesWhen I pick up my needles, I’m not just making a scarf or a cozy washcloth. I’m…
Home » ArticlesHint: Sometimes It Means Please Skedaddle 🧶 Decoding knitting abbreviations doesn’t…
Home » ArticlesHint: Sometimes It Means Knot Screaming 🧶 Learning to read a knitting pattern can…
Home » ArticlesEver open a knitting pattern and feel like you’ve wandered into a scene from A…
Home » ArticlesCozy End of Summer Projects from PurlsAndPixels 🍂 Summer is ending and fall is…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels Most stripe patterns make you cut the yarn after each…
Home » ArticlesA Busy Gardener’s Guide to Meadowscaping 🌻🐝 Have you heard of meadowscaping? If you…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels Give your everyday cloths a little something extra…
Home » ArticlesWhen hearing gunshots from the neighbors property is normal 🎯 If you’ve ever lived in…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels If you’re wondering what to knit first, this is your…
Home » ArticlesThe Bravery Test of the Crafting World 🧶 I just played a risky little game. I really…
Home » ArticlesHow Two Pieces of Fruit Broke a Strong Man and Opened My Eyes 🥑 I scanned my items as…
Home » ArticlesWhy I Wear a Mesh Hat and Smell Like Cookies in June 🍪 Deep in the piñon forests of…
Home » ArticlesA Free Knitting Pattern from Liz Chandler 🐝 So, I have a problem with wasps. Well…
Home » ArticlesHold your Tomatoes, Folks; It’s Not Time to Plant Outside Yet! 🌱❄️ If you’re anything…
Home » ArticlesHomemade Emergency Chick Feed from Kitchen Staples🥚 If you have been following along…
Home » ArticlesContinental Knitting Explained 🧵 If you’ve ever seen someone knit so quickly it looks…
Home » ArticlesBecause sometimes the best gear is already in your laundry pile. 👕 Cleaning the…
Home » ArticlesHow to Set Realistic Goals for Your Homestead (and Actually Reach Them) 💪…
Home » ArticlesA Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels 🥾 Looking for a…
Home » ArticlesFrom Almost Tossed to Tiny Miracles: My First Hatch 🐣 This was not the plan. It was…
Home » ArticlesLearn to Knit, Skip the Overwhelm (and the Urge to Throw Your Yarn) 🧶 Does knitting…
Home » ArticlesHow to Sell Your Knits, Crochet, and Handmade Items Online or at Craft Fairs (Without…
Home » ArticlesPollinator-Friendly Gardening in the High Desert of Southwest Colorado 🌱 …
Home » ArticlesFrom Woolly Winters to Cotton and Palm Trees 🌴 Spring break: the season of college…
Home » ArticlesA Lunar Eclipse You Should Stay Up For 🌒 Let me tell you how much I love the stars…
Home » ArticlesKnitting is supposed to be fun, right? But thanks to a few lingering knitting myths…
Home » ArticlesEasy Tips for Fresh Herbs All Year from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels🪴 It’s cold and…
Home » ArticlesA Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels ☕ There’s nothing quite…
Home » ArticlesWhy Upgrade Your Yarn? 🧶 If you’re anything like me, you probably started out…
Home » ArticlesMountain Moment: Wild Turkeys Fly Over Colorado Homestead 🦃 Living on a homestead…
Home » ArticlesQuick, Romantic Gift Ideas for Your Holiday from Liz Chandler 💞 Valentine’s Day…
Home » ArticlesWhy and How I Keep Chickens 🐔 Keeping backyard chickens started a simple idea: just a…
Home » ArticlesKnit with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels 🧶 Who doesn’t love a warm, cozy scarf? 🧣 And…
Home » ArticlesThis super-bulky knit scarf is intentionally designed as an early knitting project…
Home » ArticlesMake Your Own Moth Repellent Using Cedar Chips and Cotton Cloth 🦋🌳 Living in an…
Home » Articles A Colorado Homesteader’s Guide to Wildlife Coexistence 🏔️ 🦁 When you choose to…
Home » ArticlesStart Here! 🌱 Are you ready to start your gardening journey but feeling unsure about…
Home » ArticlesA Quick & Practical Knit for Your Sustainable Kitchen ✨ Free Knitting Pattern by…
Home » ArticlesKnit with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels 🧶 I think it’s about time to put all of…
Home » ArticlesA Real-Life Guide from a Knitting Mom 🧶 Caring for hand knits can feel overwhelming…
Home » ArticlesA Guide to Cozy Cabin Decor 2025 🌿🪵 Feeling the winter blues creeping in? Same here!…
Home » ArticlesTransform a frozen salmon fillet into a delicious, nourishing meal in just 35 minutes…
Home » ArticlesPlan Your Most Creative Year Yet 🧶 A new year brings a world of possibilities for…
Home » ArticlesKnit Your Moments of Thankfulness into a Cozy Blanket 🌟 A Free Knitting Pattern by…
Home » ArticlesModern Ways to Create Comfort in the New Year 🌿 As we embrace the New Year, the art…
Home » ArticlesHoliday Cut-Out Shape Cookie Recipe (Perfect for Hippos, Too) Every year, my son and…
Home » ArticlesA Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels. Merry Christmas and Happy…
Home » ArticlesBeginner’s Guide to Knitting: Learn Essential Stitches & Projects Step by…
Home » ArticlesDishcloths and Washcloths Designed by Liz Chandler From simple basics to intricate…
Home » ArticlesIf you’re looking for unique, handmade gifts this season, you’re in the…
Home » ArticlesThanksgiving has come and gone, and I wanted to tell you about my new pie recipe that…
Home » ArticlesLet’s talk about the ultimate homesteading accessory. Nope, it’s not a chicken coop…
Home » ArticlesIf you’re in the mood to add some cozy, handmade touches to your living space, these…
Home » ArticlesCozy, Crafty & Homestead-Ready Gifts to Make Them Smile 🎁 ‘Tis the season to get…
Home » ArticlesExtra Gooey and Perfect for Cozy Mornings These soft, gooey cinnamon rolls have a…
Home » ArticlesA Guide to Transitioning Chicken Pullets from the Brooder Raising baby chicks has…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels Use this Ribbed Chunky Hat Free Knitting Pattern to…
Home » ArticlesKnitting in the round is a way of creating seamless tubes of fabric without having to…
Home » ArticlesIntroducing Liz Chandler’s Knitting Journals, a collection of meticulously…
Home » ArticlesRunning a homestead can feel like a never-ending list of things to do, especially…
Home » ArticlesA Mystery Critter and a Happy Haul I offered to harvest carrots while Mom was out of…
Home » ArticlesFall is in full swing and there is nothing better than a warm and cozy bowl of…
Home » ArticlesHello, friends! Halloween is right around the corner (this week!), and my son has…
Home » ArticlesThere are downsides to free-ranging hens. Obviously, predators can be a huge risk to…
Home » ArticlesMake a cozy Rice Stitch Afghan with this free knitting pattern. Choose your favorite…
Home » ArticlesEssential Tips for Success If you’re moving into a new home or just itching to change…
Home » ArticlesThe air’s getting crisp, the leaves are starting to change, and it’s the perfect time…
Home » ArticlesTarantulas Wandering in Southwest Colorado: A Unique Natural Phenomenon Every fall, a…
Home » ArticlesIf you’re dreaming of a quiet, self-sufficient life surrounded by nature…
Home » ArticlesTips for Navigating Challenges with Animals, Land, and Nature when You’re the only…
Home » ArticlesDiscover Your Cozy Lifestyle Type with a Fun Quiz! Are you curious about how cozy…
Home » ArticlesEven with a Busy Lifestyle, You Can Still Enjoy a Cozy Home Life gets hectic, but…
Home » ArticlesThis super-bulky knit hat is intentionally designed as an early knitting-in-the-round…
Home » ArticlesStopping at the farm store when baby chicks are in season means I’ll be unable…
Home » ArticlesYour cozy lifestyle is about more than just comfort; it’s about creativity too…
Home » ArticlesWhen life feels hectic, there’s nothing like coming home to a cozy, welcoming space…
Home » ArticlesDiscover some amazing ways to enhance your cozy lifestyle. These ideas can help you…
Home » ArticlesPulling Weeds: A Gardener’s Battle I spent yesterday rehabilitating my overgrown…
Home » ArticlesIn southwest Colorado, gardening can sometimes feel like you’re trying to solve…
Home » ArticlesAre you a small-town newcomer? Welcome! Let’s get you started with a guide to…
Home » ArticlesEssential Steps to Protect Your Flock in Bear Country Living in bear country means…
Home » ArticlesPlant Growth Spurts and Repotting Shenanigans Hope this update finds you in good…
Home » ArticlesHow Country Living Wove Its Way into My Practical Knitting Adventures Life in the…
Home » ArticlesSnowstorm Prep in Southwest Colorado by Liz Chandler Ah, the weather in Colorado – as…
Home » ArticlesWhere Knitting Meets Critters and Gardens Host Gossip Sessions So, picture this:…
Home » ArticlesMy New Year’s Day tradition? Starting seedlings. Yes, I know it seems early…
Home » ArticlesWelcoming Gardening into my Knitting Haven Dear fellow knitting enthusiasts, welcome…
Home » ArticlesAs the calendar flips to a new year, many of us scribble down resolutions like…
Home » ArticlesExplore the Knitting Supplies I Actually Use 🧶 Let’s chat real knitting. Not the…
Home » ArticlesKnitting Patterns with only Knit and Purl Stitches Once you master knits and purls…
Home » ArticlesMinimalist knitting patterns are simple to knit and you can make them over and over…
Home » ArticlesRibbed Hat To make this ribbed hat, you will work in a simple knit, purl pattern…
Home » ArticlesBasic Pillow Covers This pattern will show you how to make simple pillow covers by…
Home » Articlesby Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels With this pattern, you can create a cozy ribbed…
Home » ArticlesAfter picking out your yarn and knitting needles, you will have one last task:…
Home » ArticlesOnce you have chosen your yarn, you will have another big decision to make before you…
Home » ArticlesWhen you start gathering your materials, choosing yarn for knitting will be one of…
Home » ArticlesWhen decreases make the top of a hat too small to work on your circular needles, you…
Home » ArticlesWhen knitting a hat from the bottom, up, you will add decreases at the top. These…
Home » ArticlesIf you begin a knitting project in the Magic Loop, you can switch to working on…
Home » ArticlesYou can switch between knitting methods while working on a project that you’ve…
Home » ArticlesYou can make your own basic cup cozy with this free knitting pattern. These knitted…
Home » ArticlesAt the base of your mitten thumb, you will have a yarn tail to weave in. When you use…
Home » ArticlesTaking a mitten off the knitting needles leaves a small open hole at the top. Use the…
Home » ArticlesAfter you finish knitting a mitten, you will need to smooth out the jog left by your…
Home » ArticlesAfter knitting mittens, you will have four loose ends to weave in, just as you had…
Home » ArticlesIf you used a stitch holder to separate and add your glove thumb, you will have a…
Home » ArticlesA standard bind off in the round will leave a yarn tail and a small jog where your…
Home » ArticlesAt the beginning of your knit rounds, there will likely be a small jog near your…
Home » ArticlesAfter knitting fingerless gloves, you will have four loose ends to weave in. Using a…
Home » ArticlesAfter separating the sections of your glove with your stitch holder, you will knit…
Home » ArticlesAfter you have separated your glove thumb and hand with a stitch holder, you’ll…
Home » ArticlesYou can also use the Standard Bind Off to take the stitches off your needles when you…
Home » ArticlesIf you need to use a stitch holder, but do not have one available, you can substitute…
Home » ArticlesWhen you are knitting gloves or other shaped knitwear, you may need to separate…
Home » ArticlesThe “make one right” increase allows you to add stitches to knitted rows…
Home » ArticlesAs its name suggests, the “make one left” increase is a left-leaning…
Home » ArticlesIncreases add live stitches to your knitted rows. This is useful in shaping knitwear…
Home » ArticlesAt the beginning of your knit rounds, there will likely be a small jog near your…
Home » ArticlesOnce you have taken your last stitches off the knitting needles, you can weave in…
Home » ArticlesWhen a pattern instructs you to “draw yarn through the remaining…
Home » ArticlesAfter knitting a hat in the round, you will want to take it off the needles, then…
Home » ArticlesFor the slip, slip knit decrease (ssk), you will first slip two stitches as if to…
Home » ArticlesTo knit two together (k2tog), you will work into the front leg of two live stitches…
Home » ArticlesTo help shape your knitwear, you will need to know how to decrease. In knitting…
Home » ArticlesWhen you want to change the size of your stitches between sections of a project, you…
Home » ArticlesThe “Magic Loop” is a knitting method that allows you to knit small tubes…
Home » ArticlesTo finish a knitted tube, such as an ear warmer or headband, you can bind off in the…
Home » ArticlesAs you knit in the round on circular needles, you may be asked to switch needle…
Home » ArticlesJust as with DPNs, you can also knit a seamless tube on circular needles. Like a…
Home » ArticlesTo bind off in the round on DPNs (double point needles), you can use the same…
Home » ArticlesSometimes you will need to switch needle sizes while working with double point…
Home » ArticlesYou can create a tube of knit fabric with double point needles (DPNs). This is done…
Home » ArticlesYou will occasionally find a knitting pattern that asks you to switch needle sizes…
Home » ArticlesAs you knit, you will often find yourself coming to the end of a ball of yarn without…
Home » ArticlesThis slipped stitches scarf is a simple, textured knitting pattern that creates a…
Home » ArticlesSlipping Stitches to Add Texture to Knitting In an earlier lesson you learned how to…
Home » ArticlesTwisting Knit Stitches to Add Texture Occasionally, patterns will ask you to “knit…
Home » ArticlesSlipping Stitches to Neaten the Edges of Knitting Slipping a stitch means moving a…
Home » ArticlesIf you find a mistake that is too far back to easily correct, you can “frog” or…
Home » ArticlesBefore you can fix slipped knit stitches, you will need to know what they are and how…
Home » ArticlesBefore you will be able to correct your mistake, you will need to get to the column…
Home » ArticlesDropping a stitch simply means a stitch has fallen off your needles at some point…
Home » ArticlesTo fix a twisted knit stitch, it helps to know how twisted stitches happen. A stitch…
Home » ArticlesAfter making a pattern of knits and purls, you will want to take your stitches off…
Home » ArticlesDid you make a knit stitch or a purl stitch? Learning to tell the difference between…
Home » ArticlesAfter weaving in my loose end for a few stitches, I always tie my yarn tail onto one…
Home » ArticlesThe standard bind-off will also leave a tail. This tail can be used to fix odd corner…
Home » ArticlesA long-tail cast on, like most other cast ons, will always leave a tail. Learn how I…
Home » ArticlesAfter you bind off a piece of knitting, you will almost always have one or more…
Home » ArticlesBefore you start learning the knit stitch, you’ll need to know how to hold your…
Home » ArticlesAfter you have cast on all your stitches (or finished a row) in a flat knitting…
Home » ArticlesTo learn the knit stitch, start with this simple Beginner Face Scrubby pattern…
Home » ArticlesIn knitting, a slipknot is used as the first step of a long tail cast on; it will…
Home » ArticlesI’d like to give you all a little gift this Valentines day, so I have written…
Home » ArticlesA knitting pattern by Liz @PurlsAndPixels,Written for Darn Good Yarn I am so excited…
Home » ArticlesWith the holidays fast approaching, I’ve gathered all my festive knitting, crochet…
Home » ArticlesThis free knitting pattern shows you how to make a toilet contour rug and matching…
Home » ArticlesA great project for using up leftover yarn, you’ll need just about 0.3 ounces…
Home » ArticlesKnit a festive holiday pot holder with this incredibly quick and simple free knitting…
Home » ArticlesKnitting one item at a time can be problematic when your gauge gets a little off…
Home » ArticlesKnit this little frog for your favorite person. This little knitted toy is a great…
Home » ArticlesKnit an adorable sweater for your favorite bottle or coffee cup. This little green…
Home » ArticlesHow noticing the world around you makes knitting feel steadier and more intuitive…
Home » ArticlesWhether you have unraveled a project or just have some leftover yarn, by now you…
Home » ArticlesThis rice stitch baby blanket is a great way to practice your knitting and purling…
Home » ArticlesCalculate How Much Yarn is Leftover Trying to find out how much yarn you need for a…
Home » ArticlesHow to ship cookies for gifts and care packages This year the holiday budget was a…
Home » ArticlesIt turns out that Santa doesn’t always remember to put tags on the presents he…
Home » ArticlesUnsure of which hat or mitten size to choose? Here are my standard sizing…
Home » ArticlesA Free Knitting Chart from Liz @PurlsAndPixels This is a legacy colorwork chart…
Home » ArticlesA Do-It-Yourself Guide from Liz @PurlsAndPixels When my little one turned 2, he was…
Home » ArticlesDo you have a friend who always says, “I wish I knew how to knit”? Well…
Home » ArticlesReady to knit something practical and pretty? This beginner-friendly seed stitch…
Home » ArticlesPatterns often provide a “gauge” and ask you to “check your gauge” before…
Home » ArticlesThere are a number of ways to keep your place in a knitting pattern as you…
Home » ArticlesMuch like recipes in baking, knitting patterns try to break down a project into…
Home » ArticlesYou’ve done it! Congratulations on your beautiful knit piece. You may notice…
Home » ArticlesOnce you have finished knitting a project, you will want to…
Home » ArticlesSometimes, you will notice a stitch in your knitting that looks just a bit strange…
Home » ArticlesBeechnut baby food jars are some of my favorite little containers. The rounded pear…
Home » ArticlesIf you have ever looked around your home and thought, “Something needs to leave this…
Home » ArticlesNow that you understand the knit stitch, you are ready to move on to your next…
Home » ArticlesFrozen Snowflake Mittens: A Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler Are your hands a…
Home » ArticlesMaintaining yarn tension in your knitting is essential to keeping your stitches even…
Home » ArticlesAn Easy Holiday Crochet Project for Beginners Looking for a quick and festive garland…
Home » ArticlesAs its name implies, the knit stitch is the foundation of knitting. Here, you will…
Home » ArticlesWhether you are a beginner or an advanced knitter, this classic knitting pattern is…
Home » ArticlesWhen you begin to knit, you’ll need to learn to put your initial stitches on…
Home » ArticlesBefore you can start knitting, you will need to collect a few things. Naturally, you…
Home » ArticlesLearn to Knit Online with Free Knitting Lessons from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels…