Pack Rat wants you to tell us what you need and we’ll take heed and lead you in the right direction for perfection. See what we’re saying? We’re not playin’, so stop delayin’ and make us your natural selection.

It’s that great time of year again, East Coast boys and girls. The Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair’s getting ready to punch you in the face with it’s cool-factor, so brace yourself. Running through the whole weekend–from June 6 & 7 and free and open to the public, they make it almost impossible to say no. But why are you trying to resist the siren song of indie craft anyway? Just give it up already! And, once you’ve given in to your need to see unusual, exotic, handmade goo-gaws, keep on the look out for our friends at Meow Meow Tweet. They’re fragrant handmade soaps will have you purring in no time.

photo copyright by Meow Meow Tweet

Pack Rat: That’s what she said

If you’re a crafty crafterson, you probably have some fond memories of Home Ec. Unless you’re like me and had a super uptight Home Ec teacher who was all over your case about your home made pasta noodles. Anyway, time has healed some wounds, and I wish I could go back and do it all over again, this time paying attention to all the skills I missed out on. But, since I can’t, I guess it’ll just pay some visits to Home Ec 101. I’m already all over their granny square tutorial, and I have a weak spot for stain and spot removal tricks, of which there are many. So give yourself a refresher. And who knows, you might learn something new too!

photo copyright: Home Ec 101

Pack Rat Magazine finds itself irresistable drawn to you.

Hiya party people. Let’s get down to brass tacks. If you are just starting to sew, I suggest you check out this helpful tutorial from the Family Homestead, writen by Crystal out of Washington. She shares a quick and easy method for gathering fabric, one of those tasks that seem daunting to the novice (a.k.a. me). This guide will be a time, and frustration saver.

Pack Rat Magazine loves the voodoo that you do.

So, maybe some of you or most of you are aware of this thing called The Sweater Curse. I had not heard of it until I came across it in Wikipedia and then had a good giggle at the fact that this thing had its own entry. Urban Legend has it that The Sweater Curse, (some times known as The Curse of the Love Sweater) strikes when some well meaning knitter makes a sweater for her/his significant other. Apparently, this is the kiss of death because in no time, that girlfriend/boyfriend is headed for the hills. The wikipedia entry on this phenomenon is hilarious and I highly advise everyone read it. My favorite part is when it analytically breaks down potential variables that may cause The Curse of the Sweater to be effective. Such as:

• Rescue mission. The knitter senses subconsciously that the relationship is about to end, and knits a sweater as a dramatic gesture to save it.
• Catalyst for analyzing the relationship. Giving or receiving a significant gift such as a sweater may cause either the giver or receiver to evaluate the relationship. For example, the gift may seem too intimate, too domestic or too binding to the significant other. It can be seen as a signal that makes them realize that the relationship is not reciprocal, prompting them to end the relationship before it involves obligations.

Pat Rack Magazine knows that beer is the cause of–and solution to–all of life’s problems.

Now, that I’ve got those Simpsons references out of my system. I, as I’m sure you are all aware by now, am not a knitter. But I love it. Think about it. Tie a knot, make a loop and its one thing. Tie hundreds of knots, make thousands of loops, and if you do it in the correct pattern, a hat, or glove, or shawl begins to appear. Or, in the case of this free pattern I found through The Daily Knitter, a super cute sweater vest. Now like I said, I’m not a knitter myself, but The Daily Knitter appears to be a pretty good resource, with links to tons of free patterns, a large yarn directory, reviews on knitting books and guides and more. If you click needles together, let me know what you think of it. I’d be curious to see how this holds up under some serious knitter’s scrutiny.