Improve your knitting skills with free online tutorials.

Learning to knit or improving your knitting skills has never been easier. All you need is your IndyPL library card! You can use your IndyPL Library card to take a Craftsy class and watch step-by-step instructions on a variety of creative crafts, such as baking, cake decorating, quilting, knitting, and more. Learn more about how to use the Craftsy craft tutorials.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Get inspiration for improving your knitting skills.

If you need more evidence for the power of making, or something to read or listen to while you work, check out the following books on how creation can help bring meaning and purpose to our lives:

Join us at an upcoming Library program.

Join one of our monthly knitting groups! We also offer arts and crafts classes and workshps throughout the year for kids, teens, and adults. See our full schedule of Arts and Crafts programs.

  • Event: Fiber Arts Club at Lawrence
  • Date & Time: Saturday, October 26, 10:30am
  • Location: Lawrence Branch
  • Description: Knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all kinds are welcome to join a monthly group of like-minded people who love to knit and crochet; no matter the level of proficiency or the age. Please register. Walk-ins welcome when space is available. We are not able to accommodate large groups.
  • Register Here
  • Event: Crochet-A-Long at Michigan Road
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, November 05, 6:00pm
  • Location: Michigan Road Branch
  • Description: Those who enjoy crocheting, knitting, or other fiber arts are invited to learn a new craft and make something for the homeless. Basic supplies will be provided at the meeting.
  • No Registration Required.
  • Event: Fiber Arts Club at Fort Ben
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 09, 10:00am
  • Location: Fort Ben Branch
  • Description: Knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all kinds are welcome to join a monthly group of like-minded people who love to knit and crochet; no matter the level of proficiency or the age. 
  • No Registration Required.

Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Knitting Pop Culture

It’s hot outside! If you’re staying indoors, binge-watching movies and tv shows, try knitting while you watch. This winter you could be wearing mittens inspired by Little Women, a hat inspired by The Great Gatsby, a knitted Princess Leia’s snow vest, a homemade knitted sweater of your favorite Disney character, or a Hogwarts house cardigan.

Crafty Characters – Fiction About Knitting

Lacking the motivation to pick up the needles these days? Or are you an aspiring knitter looking for literary inspiration? These novels on knitting will keep you busy either way.

Title - Marriage of InconvenienceTitle - The Vampire Knitting ClubTitle - The Shop on Blossom StreetTitle - Hounds of the Basket Stitch

Knitting My Way to Peace

I’ll be honest, I love to knit. I find it very soothing and relaxing. I enjoy tv more when my hands are busy. Knitting is easy to learn and The Library has lots of resources to help the neophyte and challenge the veteran knitter.

Title - Learn to KnitTitle - Learn How to Knit With 50 SquaresTitle - Easy Knit DishclothsTitle - The Chicks With Sticks Guide to Knitting

Needlework and Mysteries

Needlework of all kinds….sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving and embroidery are featured in these first books of various mystery series.

Title - Seams Like MurderTitle - On Skein of DeathTitle - Hems & HomicideTitle - The Vampire Knitting Club

Knitting!

Whether you are a beginning knitter or the nerdiest of needlers, the collection at the Indianapolis Public Library has materials for you. Check out our array of books, online resources, and DVDs that are sure to get your needles clicking and your yarn flying!

Title - Vogue KnittingTitle - First Time KnittingTitle - Japanese Knitting Stitch BibleTitle - Mason-Dixon Knitting

Take a backstage tour.

Learning about puppets is a great first step to get the skills you need to make your own puppets. You can get an inside look at puppets by taking a video tour of Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio in Indianapolis. For even more behind-the-scenes inspiration watch this video to learn how the Sesame Street puppeteers bring Elmo, Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Abby Cadabby, and Rudy to life!

Watch a puppet show.

Tune in to the Edmonton Public Library on Youtube to see these puppet shows:

Make your own puppets and put on a show!

There are several workshops available online from puppet theatres all over the country. A wonderful one comes from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Watch Fort Wayne Youtheatre’s video and use their puppet workshop guide to learn how to create your own shadow puppet theatre and shadow puppets.

Also try New Victory Theatre’s Arts Break at Home Puppetry Week.

Still looking for puppet activities? The Jim Henson Foundation is providing links to online performances and workshops provided by grantees from their Foundation.

Are you ready to create yet? Here are some printable patterns and templates to get you started!

Puppet Project Ideas from Old Socks to Paper to Clay!

Upcycle items from your craft bin or trash can, add your creative storytelling, and put on a puppet play!

Title - Ashley BryanTitle - The Puppets of SpelhorstTitle - LotteTitle - Puppets Unlimited With Everyday MaterialsTitle - Nick and Nack Put on A Puppet ShowTitle - Puppet PlayTitle - Paper Puppet PaloozaTitle - The Strange Case of Origami YodaTitle - Darth Paper Strikes BackTitle - The Surprise Attack of Jabba the PuppettTitle - One-person Puppet PlaysTitle - How To Create And Animate A Clay Puppet With Stop Motion Pro

For kids who love to draw, two illustrators of favorite books for kids offer online classes for hours of creative fun! Start drawing today by tuning in to these drawing shows or by checking out an e-book with your IndyPL library card.

Mo Willems

Mo Willems, creator of Knuffle Bunny, the Pigeon books, and the Elephant and Piggie books, hosts a writing show called Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems. See the Lunch Doodles Playlist.

Jarrett Krosoczka

Jarrett Krosoczka, author of Hey Kiddo as well as the graphic novel series Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy hosts Draw Every Day with JJK. Browse his YouTube page for all kinds of drawing tutorials and prompts.

Drawing Books:

We have a lot of drawing books for kids at the library. You can find one for just about any interest you have. Learn to draw NASCAR, forest animals, sea creatures, cartoon characters, buildings and much more. Some of the books feature simple cartoon style drawings and others, for more experienced artists, go into great detail. Each one includes step-by-step directions though, so even if you are a beginner you can create some pretty amazing pictures!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out drawing books at any of our locations, or check out drawing e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and learn how to use audiobooks.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Video Read Alouds about Drawing

Just click on one of the book covers to hear the story.

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How to Draw Favorite Book Character Printables

Drawing, coloring, and writing can help your child practice early learning skills with their favorite book characters. You can even use them to plan a fun book character birthday party on the cheap! All you need is a computer, printer, some time…and your Library card! We also have the books, movies, and music to make your party a memorable hit! Look for online video read alouds to go with the book character printables at Free Video Read Alouds and MORE Free Video Read Alouds.

Characters A-F

Arnie the Doughnut

Arthur

Babymouse

Bad Kitty

Biscuit

Clark the Shark

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Corduroy

Curious George

Daniel Tiger

Danny and the Dinosaur

The Day the Crayons Quit

Doreen Cronin (Click Clack Moo Cows That Type)

Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)

Fancy Nancy

Frog and Toad

I Want My Hat Back

Kevin Henkes (Chrysanthemum, Owen, Lilly)

Publisher Index Pages for Book Character Printables: