Monkey

Back to school is going to be lot different this year for most of us, but the excitement of a new year and new possibilities can't be stopped. Whether it's starting back at school, doing school online, homeschooling, or a mixture, we've got what you need.

What's Your Story?

The interactive felt scenes from Play Mats will inspire children to create fun and creative stories. Mix with other toys, and the stories they'll come up with are as endless as their imagination! And everyone knows that creative play like this opens the mind to learning.

Head To Class Totes Classy

If you or your older children are headed off to class, carry school supplies in Italian style with Terrific Totes. Not only are these crochet bags beautiful, they're oh so functional! Tote a computer or tablet, books or whatever else needed for those busy school days.

Bee-utiful Backpacks

It's easy to get zoo the school day with crocheted Animal Backpacks for the younger crowd. It fits all the (panda) bear necessities your child will need so they will be free to exercise ze-brain. So quit monkeying around, grab your yarn and needles, and start crocheting!

Do The Math—Crocheting Is The Answer

Crochet doesn't just produce afghans and sweaters, it teaches math and problem solving, and inspires creativity. So while the kids are at home, spend their math and art time with Learn to Crochet for Kids. Not only will they learn important skills, they will create several items perfect for when they do head out to school.

Busy Fingers, Focused Mind

Schooltime means focusing, which can be hard for some of us. Fidget To Focus offers cubes, mats and squares to focus the mind for people of all ages. Plus, the designs are easy to sew, which makes creating them a great activity for your older students!

Gear Up

Your kids can show up at school showing off their school pride with crochet hats, scarves and more from Home Team Gear. Patterns range from large to small, so kids of all grades—including college—can deck out in their school colors.

Penmanship Can Be An Art

Have you ever marveled at exquisite calligraphy-style handwriting? Polish your child's penmanship with Hand Lettering. With just a few simple tools and techniques—and a bit of practice—their writing will be just as spectacular as anything you see in stores or on Pinterest. 

Storybook Ending

Bring your favorite fairytales to life with Storybook Dolls to Knit. The walkabout puppets are based on beloved stories and rhymes, also included in an audio CD. You children can play along with the CD or come up with their own versions!

Now that you've been inspired by our Back to School ideas, choose a project (or 2 or 3) and get started! Your children will love you for it, and they will be inspired to learn.

We'd love to see what you and your kids are creating! Please share your photos by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts on your social channels.

-Leisure Arts

We've got plenty of new fun, stitching, crocheting, and crafting for you. Read on and we'll share a few of our favorite kits, which include everything you'll need to create to your heart's content.

We’ve got a lot of new stitching kits for you to try out! 

You'll be stitching until the cows come home with these kits — they come in 4, 6, and 8 inch, and have everything you need including a hoop, needle, pre-printed fabric or felt, needle, floss and instructions.

Rose to the occasion with our new English Roses Stitch Kit.

These Teal Leaves will bring you restfulness as well as mental, spiritual balance. You won’t want to leaf this project behind.

In the past, yellow poppies represented wealth, fertility, strength, or even protection from evil spirits. We love them because they are full of cheer and color, which you can bring into your world with our Poppy Stitch Kit.

“A flower blooming in the desert proves to the world that adversity, no matter how great, can be overcome.” 
― Matshona Dhliwayo

Bring this sentiment into your home with our Desert Flower Stitch Kit.

Our Coffee Please Stitch Kit is grounds for another cup, and some time stitching.

No need to overthink this — you must create this piece with our Hold On Stitch Kit.

A pocket full of posies is the perfect addition to your wall. That can quckly be arranged with our Posey Stitch Kit.

Macramake Something Beautiful

Hitch a ride on the Macramé train with this Macramé Feather kit. It's easier than you think, with our expert step-by-step instructions. It will fill any room with a touch of class and comfort.

Get Hooked on Amigurumi

Animal lovers are bound to be hooked by our adorable Crochet Amigurumi Kits. We've got an Elephant, Giraffe, Monkey, and Lion. If you're not keen on animals, we've also got our quirky Gigi Girly, and our superhero Marvin Mega Boy.

This Punch Line Is No Joke

Our Punch Needle Kits take a modern twist on this traditional needle craft. It is fun for all levels, and the results will fit in beautifully with your décor.

Make waves with our Big Waves kit, and bring their soothing, restful rhythm to your favorite room.

Mountain Waves will take you to new heights, where the view is great.

If you're more down to earth, our Flowers kit will suit your fancy!

The only problem with so many new items is which one you'll pick first! These will bring joy, calm, and appreciation whether you hang them on your wall or gift them to your favorite people. We'd love to know which you pick and how it turns out! Don't forget to post on your social media channels and tag @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts.

-Leisure Arts Team

Huggable Amigurumi offers a unique take on Amigurumi.  Instead of miniature crocheted creatures,, Kristi Simpson has created supersized Amigurimi amimals any child will love. We love the huggable crocheted designs so much that we invited today's guest blogger, Kristi Simpson, to talk about the inspiration for her fabulous designs in Huggable Amigurumi. Welcome Kristi!

Amigurumi patterns flood the internet, but you will not find anything like these sweet Huggables! They are 19” from sitting position and will quickly become one of the family!

Hi! I’m Kristi Simpson, designer of the patterns in the Leisure Arts’ book: Huggable Amigurumi. I have enjoyed designing and teaching for many years and this book is one of my new favorites! I can’t help it, even in designing, these little buddies made me so excited! I hope in reading about this collection, you will be just as excited and make one (or all 5!) for your next project.

When thinking about this book I was inspired by the mountain of stuffed animals that my kids have. Seriously, they are going to take over the house….but I was drawn to the larger ones. They all have so much character! I wanted to design a collection that would be fun to have for babies to larger kids that they can use as comfort and play.

I tried to create a collection that was similar in shape for the body and head but I added details that would set each apart. Some have large ears and hands and feet, others have a bow or collar with mitten hands…. Each are unique but as a collection, it all comes together.

Now, I have to brag about the wonderful job Leisure Arts did on this book. The photography is phenomenal! It really brought the animals to life and showed the true size—and fun that they are!
Seriously, isn’t the girl on the cover so sweet!?!?! The cover captured the entire theme, fun and huggable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I have to say that the first photo for the inside cover is my favorite. Seriously! You can’t see their faces but you can see the bodies, head detail and tails. They look like they are buddies with their arms on each other’s shoulders! I just can’t get over how cute they are lined up like that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, let’s talk yarn. I used Bernat Softee Chunky throughout. It helps the animals be naturally larger and hold shape. I love working with bulky/chunky yarns and Bernat Softee Chunky offers not only a great yarn but a lot of colors to choose from! So now…meet the Huggables!

Meet Bunny.

She was designed with giant floppy ears and a sweet ruffle collar. The head was made from nose to middle back, unlike the others. It is easy and the pattern steps you right through from start to finish! I love the idea of a toddler pulling it along by it’s ears…like a sweet buddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say hello to Elephant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being from Alabama, the elephant was an easy-pick. I wanted to make it ‘just right’. So, I worked for hours on the trunk so that it would be in perfect proportion. I didn’t want it to just stick straight out, or hang down---so, I worked and worked and made it easy for YOU! Now, the ears. I love them. Large and floppy! I used the variegated yarn on the ends of the hands, feet and the ears so that you can see the contrast and have the extra special touch. And you can see how BIG these animals are by this photo… look at him with the sweet boy!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squishy Level 10: Lion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My kids vote this their favorite hands-down! They love the ears, nose and the mane. I made it from the top down and I step you through each part of it… don’t worry! The mane is actually from the neck, to the top and back down (not all over) so it’s just a fun feature, not all over. I love this one, and how it came together. I can just see it being squished and loved on for many years.

Cuteness alert! Giraffe is here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay. This is MY favorite. I love it from the top of his horns to the ends of his hooves. Such cuteness! I love the spunk of his spikey hair fringe to the spots all over! I love it! I actually tried different ways to add his spots: circles, rectangles, odd shapes….but stitching them on was the perfect way to do it! I have been asked to re-make this one multiple times…. It has been a hit!

Hello Handsome…Meet the Monkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dressed up in his bow tie, he’s ready to hit the town with his best buddy. His goofy grin always makes me smile and I just love his hands. Seriously, they are made like mitts to give him the most huggable effect! His perky-side ears give him the mischievous monkey look and he’s sure to impress with his big eyes too!

From designing this book to seeing the final product, I have loved each and every step…..and I just know you’re going to love making (AND GIVING) these squishy Huggables! I hope you create your own Huggable that will be cherished for years to come. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hook and yarn and get busy!

Kristi Simpson