Now that November is here, the gift making season has begun.
Well, okay,
for me,
the gift making
has already started.
I’ve been having
a lovely time
working on
Sunbonnet Sue Needlebooks.
I just love making them, and I hope that the friends and family that are receiving them will love them, too!
Here’s the link: Sunbonnet Sue
If  needle books
aren’t your cup of tea,
maybe making
a bracelet or two
might appeal?
Here’s a tutorial
for how to spool
knit with wire.
Spool knitted wire bracelet
Spool knitting wire
is a great way to
showcase a favorite bead,
button, stone or found object and turn it into a one of a kind bracelet.
One of my favorite
tiny gifts to make
and to receive
is …read more

Don’t think I forgot about man’s (or woman’s!) best friend just because I posted free crochet patterns for kitty yesterday. Today, I bring you some crochet patterns for your favorite pooch:
Dog bed
Easy dog sweater – With helpful tutorial
Bandana – Very cute and quick!
Doggie bone – You’ll need this additional 3D heart pattern
Enjoy! And, if you can’t get enough of puppies and doggies, check out The Doggy Blog, where it’s all dogs, all the time.
Image: Photos.com

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 …read more

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, …read more

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 …read more

This is a great guest post from Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family. It’s a wonderful way to kick off December and really get into the holiday spirit. Take it away, Jennifer!

I wanted to get everyone into the winter holiday spirit before kicking off December. However, I didn’t just want to post classic Tree Hugging posts. That said, with a little help from the rest of the channel, I rounded up a huge list of killer holiday (and eco-friendly) posts.
Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up …read more

Every year, my husband complains about having to climb ladders to our roof to install our Christmas lights. Every year, I tell him that as long as we have children living at home, the lights go up.
Our youngest is three years-old — looks like my husband is going to be climbing that ladder for a while yet.
Here’s some Christmas lights you can make without having to climb a roof at all: Christmas lights pattern. The pattern is free, perfect for using up those leftover pieces of yarn that aren’t long enough for anything else besides the smallest of items and you can …read more

Over at Junk Creation, enter the final Christmas for Crafters giveaway to win a cool prize package valued at $75.
Crafty people often have varied interests, so this may be just the prize you’re looking to win. All you have to do is leave a comment, so hop on over to Peggy’s blog (it’s called Junk Creation, but the crafts she does there are far from being junk!) and enter today.

Christmas is about a month away, so anyone out there who’s knitting or crocheting or crafting gifts has probably already started. Every January, I ask myself if I’m going to knit gifts for that year’s Christmas. I have to start thinking about it in January because I’m a slow knitter. It’s been a couple of years since I knitted gifts and I don’t know when I’ll start up again.
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 …read more

My son in law, Clancy, has started a new Christmas tradition at our house.
He told me that I will be receiving  a new shuttle at Christmas each year! I am sooooooo happy to have this tradition!
Here’s the gorgeous shuttle that he made me for Christmas this year, along with the beautiful necklace that my daughter Chloe, made to hang shuttles from:

Isn’t that a glorious combo? I am so lucky!
)