If you read this blog regularly there's a good chance that you sew, knit, or crochet. There is also a pretty good chance that your mom is the one that taught you this creative skill. I know that's true for me. My mom not only taught me how to sew and knit but she actually helped me get my job at Purl. Many years ago she was in New York, visiting from California and shopping at Purl when she overheard Joelle say she was looking for help- the rest is history!

To thank the mother's in our lives for all the creative encouragement and nurturing they give us I think it might be a good idea to skip the traditional flowers route this mothers day and give something a little more personal and meaningful. Below are my suggestions for fabric oriented moms and below that Whitney offers up her gift ideas for knitters.

Happy Mother's Day!-- Molly

For Sewers

Here are my suggestions for all the fabric-loving, sewing moms out there:

For the Bookworm

• The Creative Family by Amanda Soule

Amanda Soule writes the wonderful blog SouleMama.com. In it she shares ideas and projects spanning all kinds of endeavors, including sewing, embroidery, knitting, and felting. But it's not just a project book, it's filled with down-to-earth musings about parenthood and creativity that make it a really good read. This book would be ideal for a mom with young children in the house.

For the Creative Explorer

• A Pretty Cheep Project Bag in Turquoise
• Sashiko Thread in colors 11, 10, 08, and 17
• Sashiko Needles
• Sashiko Thimble
• A Blue Balloon Flower Sashiko Kit

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese sewing technique similar to embroidery. It's easy to learn and creates lovely all over designs. This assortment contains everything needed to get started and best of all, everything fits in this cute project bag. This would be the perfect gift for a mom who is constantly learning new things or one who loves to embroider. Last year we posted a story on how to do sashiko.  You (or your mom) can check it out here.

For the Gift Maker

• Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
• One Color Wheel Quilt Bundle

Joelle's book, Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts, is the perfect present for those moms out there who are always making gifts for everyone they know. This would also be a great project for a mom who has just learned how to quilt. It's full of great easy to make ideas, all organized by the amount of time it takes to make them.

One of the most popular and most satisfying projects in the book is the incredible Color Wheel Quilt. The Color Wheel Bundle contains all the small pieces of fabric needed to make the wheel section of the quilt picked out by us and is even arranged in the correct color order so your mom can get right to work. Maybe you can even convince her to keep it for herself!

For Knitters

Give your mom something extra thoughtful this Mother's Day. In the spirit of spring knitting, we're recommending cool natural fibers and lightweight, compact projects. Your mother is really going to wonder how you managed to get her exactly what she wanted!

For the Sock-er Mom

• 2 skeins of Alchemy's Juniper, 100% superfine merino, shown here in the color Cherry Tart.

• 1 colorful tape measure. 

• A Mini Soak, a gentle phosphate-free handwashing soap.

• 1 set of Lantern Moon 's Double Pointed Ebony Needles, US size #2.

If your mom always has a pair of socks in the works, she will definitely appreciate Alchemy's new superwash sock yarn. Available in their classic line of stunning hand dyed colors, this yarn is destined to make lots of feet very happy!

For the Busy Mom

• 1 skein of Farmhouse Yarn's Bonnie's Bamboo, 100% bamboo. This color is Kiwi.

• A set of Bryspun Needles, US size 5 or 6, 10 inch length.

• A Boye 3 inch Steel Stitch Holder.

• A Hand Jive Basic Knitted Ascot pattern.

If your mom's like mine, running around all day from one thing to the next with scarcely a moment for downtime activities like knitting, this is the gift for her. Page introduced us to this quick knit last fall with her beautiful cashmere version.

For springtime, have your mom try it in Farmhouse's sumptuously hand dyed bamboo. With an amazing shine and drape, it'll be gorgeous. Plus, you may just get your mother to slow down for a second. Take a breather, mom!

For the Grandmom Mom

• 3 skeins of Pakucho's Fine Flamme, 100% Certified Organic Cotton in the color Cafe.

• 1 skein of Pakucho's Fine Flamme, 100% Certified Organic Cotton in the color Vanilla Cream.

• Hannah Fetig's Closely Knit book.

• 2 packs of Ricco Ricco's Brown Polka Dot buttons.

Give grandma the supplies she needs to make this adorable Ducky Cardigan (enough yarn for all sizes: 6, 12 and 18 months). In this version, she'll use Pakucho's undyed Peruvian cotton for an organically soft and natural knit.

When she's done she'll appreciate the rest of the wonderful patterns in Hannah Fetig's Closely Knit. There's a "Mothers" chapter for her, and, if you're lucky, she'll soon turn to the "Daughters" chapter. From a Bird's Nest Pincushion to a men's Urban Beanie, it's truly a book with something for everyone!