Gift Crafting for Christmas - Stocking Stuffers

The time crunch is on, only one month until Christmas.  Here are a few gift ideas to make quickly, and stuff in someone special's stocking this holiday.  Three of these patterns are free, one is from a book you can probably find in your library (local or online), and one I made up myself.

I made a couple of these little tea toters by Julie Tarsha for my daughter and I to carry our tea to work.  They really come in handy, and are sure to be a hit with any tea drinkers on your list.

 Speaking of tea, lets not forget the coffee drinkers.  Knit (and crocheted) coffee sleeves are available in many designs.  I got this pattern from my library.  It is in Joelle Hoverson's book - More Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

Fingerless mitts are easy to make, don't take a lot of yarn, and come in lots of designs.  This pattern is available from Courtney Spainhower on Ravelry. 

 How about a faux beaded necklace in self striping yarn.  This one is done in pretty spring colors, but you could choose color to match the current season.  The pattern is by Susan Mills.

Lastly, how about boot toppers for your favorite fashionista.  There are lots of styles to choose from.  I crocheted these with a pattern I made up myself.

Christmas Countdown, one month to go....

Happy Crafting!

Gift Crafting for Christmas - Charity

One of the women in our knitting group works with developmentally disabled adults in group homes.  She recently proposed that we make things for them for Christmas so that each one could have a personal handmade gift.  Both she and another woman in the group have a large stash of acrylic yarn we can use to make cowls, hats, mittens, and I have lots of fabric to make quilted pillows. We have been knitting and sewing up a storm, and having lots of fun doing it.

Below are a few of the items I have made so far:

Currently, I am working on another hat, and some washcloths to add to the effort.  I really like making things for a local charity, especially one in which one of our members is personally invested.

Are you making gifts for charity this season?  Please leave a comment and share what you have been working on.

Christmas countdown,  2 months to go....

Happy Crafting,

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Hats

Hats are probably my favorite quick knitting project.  They can be mindless stockinette or garter stitch, more complicated with lace and cables, or colorwork patterns.  They can be slouchy, beanie style, tams, or cloches.  And because of their stretchy nature,  one size will fit most heads.  This makes them great for gift giving.

Here are a few recent projects from my needles.

Patterns (top left to bottom right): Cable Rouge, Molly, Sockhead Hat, Graham, Rikke Hat, Wurm, Christian's Hat, Man's Hound's Tooth Hat.  With the exception of the Man's Hound's Tooth Hat, all are free patterns on Ravelry.

Lastly, this is the hat currently on my needles:

It is a colorwork hat by Maria Montzka called Södermalm.

Only 9 months until Christmas.

Let's get crafting♥

 

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Socks and Slippers

Few things feel as good as handmade socks and slippers on your feet.

Show your love to family and friends by knitting cozy and comfortable footwear like those shown above.  I am a new sock knitter, so these are very basic patterns.  The designs used are all free patterns on Ravelry - from top left to bottom right: Two Toe Up Socks on One Circular Needle by Kristin Bellehumeur, 142-40 Lollipop by Drops Design, Simple Garter Stitch Slippers by Handepande, Yoga Socks #153 by Patons,  Silver's Sock Class by Kristin Bellehumeur,  Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks)  by Kaitlyn Wong.

Only 10 months left until Christmas,

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Cowls

This month, I am working to fill my gift trove with a few of the many styles and sizes of cowl designs available.  Cowls, or infinity scarves, make great gifts for men, women, or children.  I prefer their circular design over a scarf because they will not fall off.

Below is one that I've finished recently - the Armonika Cowl,  by Rutast Design, which is a free pattern on Ravelry.*

It is a simple pattern with a lovely texture.  You can make it short (as I did), or long enough to wrap twice around your neck.  I used Madelinetosh Chunky yarn.

The next one will be knit as a gift for my husband in some Paton's Classic Wool from my stash. 

I've started working on another cowl called the Conjunction Cowl by Susie White also on Ravelry.  I am knitting it in two sport weight yarns from Knit Picks Wool of the Andes: Amethyst Heather, and Dove Heather. 

Although this design looks complicated, it is very easy.  Here is what mine looks like so far.

Two other cowls are in my queue which I hope to get to over the next few months. 

I plan to try my hand at some double knitting with the Stacked Triangles Double-Knit Cowl by Tanya Today. The designer describes her cowl as knit in the round making a double thick reversible statement piece.  I will be using scrap yarn from my stash for this one.

Last, but not least, I have ordered Palette yarn in 5 shades of teal, which I will pair with vanilla to make the Leftover Cowl by Wendy D. Johnson.

This coloful cowl is the perfect project to use up leftover yarn in your collection, or a perfect excuse for buying multiple mini-skeins of fingering weight yarn (as I am).  I am knitting this as a gift for my daughter.  It will go with her coat nicely.

Only 11 months until Christmas.

Let's get crafting♥

*Ravelry is a knitting/crocheting/weaving community with an amazing patterns and tutorials.  It is free to join.

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas

I plan to start making Christmas gifts earlier this year, (like now).  By the time the holiday season comes around again, I'll already have a stash of handmade presents to give.

Here is the first of 2015's gifts - a felted nesting bowl set.  

These were knit using a free knitting pattern by Frankie Brown.  You have to be a member of Ravelry to get the pattern, but there is no charge for joining.  

Frankie's patterns are free, but she asks that you consider making a donation to the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation if you enjoy using the patterns.  The link to donate is provided on her pattern site.

The pattern does not call for felting the pots, but I decided felting would make them sturdier, and I like the look of the finished product.  So, after knitting the pots, I washed them by hand in hot soapy water, agitating them roughly.  Then I put them into the dryer until they were almost dry.  Finally, I shaped them on household objects such as a round candle and a piece of pottery and let them dry.  When wet, they were quite mold-able, almost like clay.

I like the way that they turned out, and may knit more before the month is over.

Happy Crafting ♥