This week, we sat down with Donna Druchunas, instructor of the online Craftsy classes Knit Sock Workshop, Knit Original Toe-Up Socks, and Knit Original Cuff-Down Socks.

In this chat learn all about Donna’s must-have knitting items, the animals that keep her company, and her biggest knitting disaster!

Donna on set here at Craftsy!

Thanks for playing along, Donna! And to all you Craftsy readers out there, make sure to check out Donna’s awesome classes. And remember, we post a new Six Questions every week, so keep checking back!

1. What was your first knitting project?

I don’t remember. I learned to knit from my grandmother when I was a little girl, but the only thing I remember making is a swatch of honey-comb cables made in yellow yarn.

2. What are your desert island knitting supplies?

1 metric ton of Koigu yarn, already wound into balls

1 KnitKit

1 set of Addi Lace Click interchangeable needles

1 Jordana Paige L.J. Kaelms bag

3. What item has been in your stash the longest?

Well, it’s not mine but my mom’s stash is in my house as well and she has an afghan she started making in the 1970s that isn’t finished yet. So it’s the oldest stash yarn and the oldest UFO in the house. That beats out my record by far because I only started knitting again in 1998!

4. Cat person, dog person, or do pets just interfere with your knitting time?

Cat! No question about it. I even wrote a book of knitting patterns for cat lovers, Kitty Knits. It has patterns for cat beds and toys and lots of projects that are decorated with cat motifs for cat lovers.

5. What was your biggest knitting disaster? 

The first Aran sweater I made was with superwash wool. I made my swatch, carefully measured, knitted up the sweater, sewed it up, tried it on and loved it. Then I washed it! As soon as it hit the water, my beautiful sweater grew from a size 40 to a size 54, and the sleeves hung down to my knees. I cut off the excess on the sleeves and put new cuffs on, and I still wear that sweater even though it’s more of an oversized jacket now.

6. In 10 words or less, what inspires you?

Everything. Especially travel, nature, history, and folk art.

The Craftsy Mystery Knit-Along Club is here, and we think it’s pretty awesome. This fun club is a way for Craftsy community members to connect with one another while making a totally new, totally awesome project together. For only $25, join The Craftsy Mystery Knit-Along Club and get exclusive access to a brand new Craftsy workshop along with all the supplies, delivered right to your front door. Here’s the really fun part: the workshop and project are a surprise!

Total retail value for the workshop and supply kit is $40, and we’re offering it to you for $25. This is a great way to keep your skills sharp, create an awesome new project, and knit along the Craftsy community.

The Craftsy Mystery Knit-Along Club will begin in June, so in order to be enrolled you need to sign up by May 21. Kits will arrive at the start of June, and you’ll be ready to knit your surprise! Space is limited, so tell your guild, tell your friends, and start knitting! Sign up for the Craftsy Mystery Knit-Along Club now!

This week, we sat down with Vanessa Wilson, instructor of the online Craftsy class Sew Little: Nursery Design!

In this chat learn all about Vanessa’s must-have sewing item, the animals that keep her company at home, and her first sewing project (which was mistaken for a designer piece!).

The one and only Vanessa Wilson, instructor of Sew Little: Nursery Design.

Thanks for playing along, Vanessa! And to all you Craftsy readers out there, make sure to check out Vanessa’s awesome class, Sew Little: Nursery Design, and learn how to create custom-made pieces of home décor that perfectly match your style! And remember, we post a new Six Questions every week, so keep checking back!

What was your first sewing project?

My first sewing project was a purse I made from a pair of designer jeans that no longer fit me. I figured I would turn them into a functional accessory if I couldn’t wear them… because they were pricey! I cut them up and sewed a bag with a fraying strap and embellished it with beads and patches. It was perfect because it was original and functional!  I used the back pockets to store my cell phone, keys, etc without having to dig around inside the purse.  I was a babysitter at the time and the lady who I babysat for asked me if it was a Juicy Couture purse one day! Talk about a compliment!

What are your three desert island sewing supplies?

Assuming I’d have all the other essentials like food, water and shelter.  The three sewing supplies I couldn’t be without are a treadle sewing machine, a boombox (I can’t sew without my music!), and my fabric scraps!

What item has been in your stash the longest?

It would have to be the first thread spools my mom brought over with the 1966 Singer sewing machine she taught me to sew on — all of which she bought at a yard sale for $10.  I keep trying to tell her I can’t sew with old thread that is going to fall apart.  She insists there is nothing wrong with the thread even though I when I unravel it its a totally different color further inside the spool than on the outside. Hmmmm.

Cat person, dog person, or do pets just interfere with your sewing time?

I’m more like a farm animal person. We have dogs, rabbits, chickens, and a pig on our little farm. They would interfere with my sewing time if I had to look after them but that’s what I have kids and a husband for.  I send them off to feed and care for the animals while I sneak away to my studio!

What was your biggest sewing disaster?

Ha! Don’t make me relive it! When I first learned how to sew I became obsessed with Project Runway and decided to try my hand at just draping some jersey knit on my mannequin to make myself some crazy skirt I designed as I went along.  I must have really thought the creative juices were flowing because I started cutting strips into the waistband and overlapping others, sewing them down and after about three times of that I went to “try it on” and just about fell to the floor laughing.  The only thing funnier than that was watching my husband pull it out of the clean laundry to put it away and after turning it around five times he still couldn’t figure out what it was!

In 10 words or less, what inspires you?

Problems needing functional and inexpensive solutions.