Every year I do a book advent calendar for my daughter, and while a lot of the books are about Christmas, we throw in some about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as well.
I need to do a better job of including … Read More...
Cross Stitch Chart – Because I Literally Cannot Resist Llamas
As a knitter, I have a fondness for all fiber-bearing animals, but I have to say, llamas and alpacas are my favorites.
They’re just so darn cute, and if the current llama trend in crafts is any indication, I’m not … Read More...
Knit a Little Toy Soldier for the Tree
I was tempted to call this one a tin soldier — or a wool soldier! — but even if you just call it a toy soldier it’s super adorable and easy to knit.
JustJen made this sweet little guy as … Read More...
Winter Multiplication Games
‘Tis the season when Christmas and winter themed learning materials dominate, because they seem to make those last days of learning before winter break a little more fun.
If you need a math project for the last days of school, … Read More...
Stitch Some Gorgeous Metallic Snowflakes
I love everything about these metallic cross-stitched snowflakes from Stitched Modern.
They’re worked on perforated, metallic paper with metallic embroidery floss, and the combination is sparkly and pretty and, yes, modern.
These would be lovely on a tree, used as … Read More...
Stitch a Yarn Basket for a Knitting Friend
Here’s a super quick project that’s perfect for any other knitters or yarn crafters on your list.
Red Heart has a free pattern for a knit basket of yarn ornament that is quick and easy to make.
It’s a good … Read More...
I Dare You Not to Aww at These Amigirumi Christmas Balls
I’m completely in love with these adorable amigirumi knit Christmas ball ornaments from Amy Gaines.
There’s a Santa, elf, reindeer, polar bear and penguin (my personal favorite!), which are all between 3 and 5 inches tall.
They’re really quick to … Read More...
Christmas-Themed Lego Mosaics
I love all kinds of Lego challenges, and my daughter is a huge building fan, too, so I’m definitely printing out these Lego mosaics from Childhood 101.
These cute designs feature Santa, a reindeer and a Christmas tree, and allow … Read More...
Felted Bell Ornaments
Here’s another great Christmas ornament knitting project you can whip up a bunch of in a hurry. The felted bells from Purl Soho are lovely in singles, or knit and felt a bunch to make a garland or swag (is … Read More...
Knit a Partridge and/or a Pear for Your Tree
Holiday ornaments are a great little handmade gift idea for teachers or anyone else who needs a little something, or they can be a part of a gift that includes some other things. I love a knit Christmas ornament in … Read More...
A Sweet Mitten Embroidery Pattern for Practice
We don’t delve into embroidery over here all that much, but every now and then I can’t resist.
This little project from Pam Ash designs is a great way to practice different embroidery stitches. The pattern features a pair of … Read More...
A Non-Holiday Dishcloth or Two
The other day I shared some holiday-themed washcloths/dishcloths you could knit as a gift, but what if you don’t want to make something that can only be used a month or so out of the year?
Today I bring … Read More...
Knit a Great Headband Or a Bunch in a Flash
I love wide knit headbands that you can use as earwarmers. They don’t mess up your hair like hats can, and you can wear them all day, which is great for me, because I’m always cold, but it’s more accepted … Read More...
Gift Knits from the New Knitty
The latest issue of Knitty just dropped the other day, so I thought it might be fun to highlight some patterns you still have time to knit for gifts, if you’re still in the market for some.
The Skew Too… Read More...
A Cool Gift You Can Cross Stitch
Normally we think of cross stitching as happening on gridded fabric, but you can cross stitch anything that has holes, as we have seen from stitched peg boards and chain-link fences and other amazing large-scale projects.
You can also add … Read More...
Knit a Hat for Your Little Elf
Lots of these gift idea knitting patterns have been for adults, but of course one way to get a project done fast is to make something for a child (tell that to the gigantic blanket I’ve been working on for … Read More...
A Great Collection of Hanukkah Crafts
We don’t celebrate Hanukkah in our family but I do want my daughter to know about different religious and cultural traditions, so she knows a little bit about what the celebration is for and why it is important.
Whether you … Read More...
Celebrate Winter with Free Patterns from The Drawn Thread
The Drawn Thread has a nice little collection of free charts you’ll want to check out, particularly for this time of year.
There’s a Santa and a Christmas-themed project or two and several having to do with snow.
I particularly … Read More...
A New Season of Minutia
I always love the Minutia patterns from Berroco: little bitty ornaments that are perfect for any knitter’s tree and, honestly, great for gift knitting to all sorts of people.
This year’s collection includes knit and crocheted stockings, a wee colorwork … Read More...
A Bunch of Bulky Cowls
These last-minute cowls from Churchmouse Yarns definitely fit the name.
The collection of three quick and easy patterns — each worked with bulky or super bulky yarn and size 17 US knitting needles — overs enough variety that you can … Read More...