News From the Nest, March 9

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

This Fringed Linen Stitch Knit Blanket has a woven, almost fabric-like quality that makes it look far more complicated than it actually is. It’s lightweight, machine washable, and the fringe edge elevates the already lovely blanket into something a little extra. Reader Dorene raved about the fringe. The free pattern is awaiting you and your needles!

Whether you are new to knitting or have been knitting for years, you may still be fuzzy on the details of needle types and sizing, which is exactly why Knitting Needle Sizes and Materials is such a handy reference to bookmark. From the difference between bamboo and metal to how US, metric, and UK sizes compare, it’s all here — plus a free printable Needle Conversion Chart for subscribers. My personal advice? Bamboo for beginners, because your stitches are far less likely to slide off at an inopportune moment.

Crochet lovers, the Lemon Peel Stitch Crochet Washcloth is a great project to pick up this week. It uses just four basic stitches, has a pretty scalloped edge, and works up quickly in 100% cotton yarn. There’s even a video tutorial if you need to see the stitch in action.

If you have been looking for a small, charming project to keep your hands busy, the Strawberry Pot Crochet Keychain delivers in a big way. Tiny crocheted strawberries, trailing vines, and a little terracotta pot come together into the most adorable, spring-forward purse charm, backpack charm, or rear-view mirror accessory you’ve ever seen.

From the Kitchen

If you are planning on baking a ham for Easter or still have a ham bone in your freezer from a past holiday or recent dinner, I gotcha. Ham Stock is one of the easiest, most budget-friendly things you can make, and it forms the flavor backbone of so many soups. I avoid ham with sodium nitrates, so I’ve also used nitrate-free ham hocks from Whole Foods with great results.

That ham stock leads directly to one of my favorite soups on the blog, White Bean Soup with Ham and Vegetables. It’s lighter and brothier than the thick bean soups most of us grew up with, and the combination of ham stock base with a little sautéed bacon adds a deep, smoky, extra-yummy umami.

If you’re thinking about Easter brunch cocktails, look no further than the Ramos Gin Fizz. My dad’s recipe skips the traditional 12-minute shake in favor of a blender, and the result is a creamy, citrusy, utterly elegant drink that feels perfectly seasonal. This delightfully fresh cocktail was de rigueur at family brunches when I was growing up.

Until money starts growing on trees, it is always worth spending a few minutes getting acquainted with the best budget-friendly groceries, packed with practical, specific ideas for stretching your grocery dollars without sacrificing quality. From the most economical proteins and produce to smart strategies like “Eat What We Have” months and a handy app called SuperCook that helps you use what’s already in your pantry, this post is genuinely useful.

The Slow Cooker Pork Casserole is a French cassoulet-inspired dish that’s tailor-made for a busy week — pork roast, sausage, white beans, and a toasted breadcrumb topping, all coming together in the slow cooker while you do other things. It’s deeply satisfying comfort food, and it makes wonderful leftovers.

If you have a dog in your life, Sweet Potato Dog Chews might be the easiest thing you’ll make all week. One ingredient, dehydrated in your oven or a dehydrator, is vet-approved and full of good nutrients. Elsa gives her enthusiastic paw of approval.

Craving something chocolatey but not a full pan of brownies? Brownie Brittle is thin, crunchy, deeply chocolatey, and completely addictive — so much so that I mailed the last batch to my kids before I ate the entire thing myself. You know the crunchy edges on the corner pieces of a brownie…yep, imagine a whole pan of them! 😮 The secret is spreading the batter thin and even, and you can customize it with any topping you like, from pistachios to toffee bits to crushed peppermint.

From the Arts + Crafts Classroom

Easter eggs don’t have to come from a drugstore dye kit, and this post about Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs shows you how to get beautiful, chemical-free color using fruit, vegetables, spices, coffee, and tea from your own pantry. Red cabbage gives you blue and purple, turmeric gives you golden yellow, and a little vinegar helps the color set. This year, switch up your Easter Egg-dyeing tradition and use naturally sourced dyes.

Our Goat Milk Soap recipe uses a melt-and-pour base, which means you skip all the intimidating lye work and get from start to finish in essentially a day. The goat milk base is rich in vitamins and naturally gentle on skin, and you can customize it with lavender, honey, or whatever suits your fancy. Paired with a hand-knit washcloth, this makes an absolutely beautiful gift — think Easter basket or Mother’s Day.

If you have been relying on plastic wrap and sandwich bags, Beeswax Food Wraps are worth the small investment of time. Cotton fabric infused with beeswax, pine resin, and jojoba oil creates a reusable, compostable, naturally antibacterial wrap that can replace single-use plastic in most situations. Readers Stephanie and Monica both gave it 5 stars!

In the Garden

When I started my tomato seeds this year, I also planted borage and marigold seeds. Becoming acquainted with plants that help tomatoes reach their prime and potential is why I wrote this post about Tomato Companion Plants. Basil, borage, marigolds, and a handful of other herbs and flowers can dramatically reduce pest pressure on your tomatoes, attract beneficial insects, and even improve flavor — while plants like peppers, eggplant, and cucumbers are better kept at a distance. The post also covers what NOT to plant nearby, which is just as valuable.

This Homemade Weed Killer post is one I return to every spring (in fact, I just ordered my 45% vinegar yesterday), because as much as I’d like to hand-pull every weed (NOT), that’s just not realistic. After four-plus years of using this vinegar, salt, and dish soap formula exclusively, I’m fully converted — though I’ll be honest: household vinegar won’t cut it, and you need to set your expectations accordingly. Tracey commented, “This stuff is absolutely bananas! I used 45% vinegar plus the recommended salt and dish soap. Within 2 hrs, the area I applied the solution to was brown! It’s absolute magic!! We have well water, I feel so much better about using this vs harsh chemicals!! Thank you so much!!” Buh-bye dollarweed!

Don’t toss those Easter egg shells (unless you are using commercial dye)! Using Eggshells in the Garden shares the benefit to your soil, earthworms, and even birds of the oft-discarded eggshell. Ground eggshells add calcium to your soil, help balance pH, deter slugs and cutworms, and even support the earthworm population that your garden depends on. Mix them into the soil this spring, and your tomatoes and peppers will thank you come summer.

In the House + Home

Even if you aren’t participating in the 2026 Decluttering Challenge, I encourage you to take some time to declutter your digital devices. The Digital Decluttering Checklist walks you through cleaning up your device desktop, downloads folder, and browser bookmarks, deleting unused apps and duplicate photos from your phone, clearing your cache, and finally — satisfyingly — emptying the trash.