They’re typically inexpensive and so worth putting your special stamp on a project you took time and effort to make. These are from Stitch Diva Studios: 

Don’t forget to add special care instructions if necessary, such as “wash in cool water”, “handwash only” or “line dry.” This way, your special gift lasts for years to come.

Image: Stitch Diva Studios 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

If your cat or kitten is your best friend, you want to make something for her/him for Christmas, right? Fortunately, you can whip up a crochet gift rather quickly. Here are some ideas for the furry feline in your life — and all of these patterns are free: 

Crochet chicken (or other bird) – Perfect for stuffing with catnip

Kitty sweater – Because what cat doesn’t just love to wear clothes?

Catnip mouse – More catnip

Snuggle tubbie – Although meant to provide a safe and comfortable place for shelter animals, this is great for any pet  

Octo-puss toy – Great for using up scraps

Want more kitty? Be sure to hop over to The Kitty Blog, where feline fun happens all the time. 

Image: Photos.com

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Let’s say you waited until just now to knit and/or crochet gifts for the holidays. You need some ideas that you can work up fast. Usually, the smaller the project, the quicker you can whip it out (though yarn thickness and needle size also come into play). What types of projects can you dive into and finish before December 25? Here’s some ideas:

Crochet Christmas tree air freshener

Knit baby poncho

Crochet stocking

Knit Peter Rabbit

Crochet angel wreath

Knit squiPod iPod cozy

Crochet penguin ornament

Knit Anna of Green Cables hat

Crochet purse

Knit coffee cup cozy

Small projects are perfect for using up leftovers from other projects or for stashbusting, if you’re trying to reduce the size of your yarn stash.

Image: Photos.com

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

It’s that time of year again. It’s magical and cheerful and hopefully, spent with the people you love best. It’s also a time to buy or craft gifts for others, if that’s part of how you celebrate. Whether you buy presents for other crafty people in your life or you make a list so that your loved ones buy you exactly what you want, here’s a list of great gifts for knitters and crocheters, even if that someone is you:  

Notions & Accessories

Key ring

Stitch markers

Sheepy gauge

Soak wool wash

Shawl and scarf pins

Bags & Cases

Needle organizer

Accessory case

Tote

Needles & Hooks

Ergonomic

Unique

Rosewood

Hummingbird

Books

Cozy Crochet

Knit Noel

Crocheting on the Edge

Luxe

Spinning wheel

Namaste bags

Image: Photos.com

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

There are few things as satisfying than working on a project for hours and then gifting it and seeing the recipient really appreciate it. On the other hand, there are few things as frustrating as working on a project for hours and then gifting it and seeing the recipient react in a lukewarm or downright cool fashion.

One thing I try to remember is who appreciates my knitting and who doesn’t. I knitted this scarf for my mom a couple of years back… 

As you can see, it’s lacy and it was time-consuming, but I did it because I liked the project and I wanted her to have it.

She didn’t appreciate it. Instead of foisting more handknitted goodness on her, I just buy her storebought gifts and that’s that.

Sometimes we as crafty people want everyone to love our gifts as much as we do, and it doesn’t always work out that way. So to avoid frustration, I only knit for those who appreciate it (too often, it’s only other knitters!) and buy stuff at the store for those who don’t.

Are you Christmas knitting/crafting this year? Why or why not?

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Here’s the link for the Earflap Baby cap for Save the Children

And it struck me that the cap and sweater that I designed for Caron Yarns would probably be a good thing to make for charities of all descriptions, too…..

And, yes, even though the pics don’t show it that clearly, those are indeed, little people of the world on there.

Children of the world pattern

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

I made to celebrate my daughter, Chloë’s and my blogiversary of our blogging for 2 years for b5.

We drove to their house for dinner last night – through a storm of epic proportions. Whew!~ visibility at one point was zero. We had to pull off the road because we could not see through the rain! ugh…..

Anyhow… I was pleased that Chloë  likes the freeform Recycled Ruffle Cuff bracelets that I made for us from recycled wood:

LOL… I just noticed that the photo makes our fingers look verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry short. Ah well…  c’est la vie!

Image Source: Chloë  Findlay-Harder

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Happy Blogiversary to us!

Happy happy to us!

My daughter, Chloë Findlay-Harder of (Tangled Threads and Her Accessories  among others!) and I are both celebrating our 2 year Blogiversary at b5media.

To celebrate, I have made us each 2 recycled wood bracelets that I call: Recycled Ruffle Cuffs: I guess you could call them a very special Friendship Bracelet!

Here’s how I make the Recycled Ruffle Cuff bracelets:

I cut freeform organic curvie shapes out of wood that I have reclaimed. In this case, it’s the bottom of drawers from a desk that gave up the ghost:

I had a flash that it would be fun to set buttons, beads and stones into the bracelets, so I drilled holes for them.  And of course, sanded for hours.

Then, I burned designs and patterns on, and chose the beads.

Glue in the beads, and varnish them, and VOILA!

Ruffled Cuff Recycled Bracelets to celebrate 2 fun and fab years!

I think I will have to make us each another wild and crazy bracelet for every Blogiversary from now on!

And, if she doesn’t like them as bracelets, she  could use them as bag handles!

What do you like to make to celebrate your special events?

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn