1 weeks till Christmas

Only one week to Christmas!

So much time to make instant gratification gifts.  Here are some goodies that take less than 100 yards of yarn and will be done giffy-quick!

Momentum by Natalie Selles

Takes 90 yards of Extra Bulky yarn like Brown Sheep Burly Spun!

…and it looks so good! Natalie did a wonderful job designing this one-skein pattern.  You can find it HERE for $5

Pinwheel Purse by Frankie Brown

Takes way under 100 yards and could be made of leftovers from sock projects past.  It’s made with fingering weight yarn.

I love how sweet and sturdy this little fellow looks.  Good for holding change or other itty bitty items,  Stocking stuffer!!!! The  pattern is free HERE

Marian by Jane Richmond,

Takes 83 yards of the Extra Bulky stuff.

Simple comme bonjour! ICI

Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by Tante Ehm

Takes 100 – 110 yards of worsted weight.  I love how these mittens look in this colourful yarn.  Get a similar look from Noro Silk Garden.
The pattern is free. HERE

Knit 101 Headband by The Knit Cafe

Takes 83 – 100 yards or Aran Weight held double or half that much Bulky Weight single stranded.

This is a brand new pattern just published this week! Read all about this easy-peasy knit and get the pattern for free HERE

Cable Braided Necklace by Olajazzy

Takes 15-20 grams of Fingering or Sport weight yarn – plenty under 100 yards.

I urge you to have a look at this pattern just to bear witness to the clever and simple construction.  You may do so with no impediment as it is free HERE

Chaussons Mignon by Pruline

Takes 23 – 50 yards of worsted weight.

These super-sweet, little bootlets fit a new born and the pattern is free HERE

A Toddler’s Cowl by  Carrie L McClain

Takes less than 100 yards of DK Weight yarn.

The designer says that this garment will fit most children between 12-24 months of age. A useful cozy for this time of the year.  Again- It’s free! HERE

Quynn by Woolly Wormhead

Takes 73 – 132 yards of Worsted or Aran weight. To fit head sizes: 14 (16, 18, 20) inches/ 35.5 (40.75, 45.75, 51) cm.  The smaller the head the smaller the yardage!

Iwona made a version of this hat for Charlie and it’s so darn cute on him.  She says she likes how it fits over his ears.  You can find the pattern HERE for 2.50GBP

Christmas Toadstools by Merrin Curley

Takes a small bit of yarn.  The pattern suggests DK and 3.25mm needles but you can adjust your needle size to whatever yarns you have about.

These would make wonderful ornaments, the red caps adding a colourful pop to the evergreen tree!

The pattern is free and you can find it HERE

Sure do hope this last week till Christmas, is full of knit success! Remember to pick out your Holiday-Knitting Project Too! Once all the madness of knitting for others is accomplished, you will no doubt want to kick back with some eggnog and do some knitting meant for the knitter.  You deserve it!

Craftily yours
Kristin

5 weeks till Christmas

Full disclosure – I’m a little late out of the starting gate.  I hope you all will forgive me.  Each year around this time I begin a blog series called “the 6 weeks of Christmas”.  It goes like this: I throw out a few suggestions – patterns that I think might be knit up, and then wrapped up as gifts for under the tree.  At 6 weeks before the big day I begin and each week I add another post as the day in question nears.  I’m sorry to say that this year I am late.  Yikes! That means that there is less then 6 weeks before Christmas.  In fact there are 5 weeks before Christmas.  So it’s time to amp up your game! No panicking is necessary however. If you had planned to knit some gifts this year there is still plenty of time.

This year I plan to organize these gift-giving-project-possibilities by the total yardage suggested in the pattern.  This week is projects under 500yds (a few under 600 yds  may or may not have snuck in there too).  Here we go!

Duotone Cowl by Orange Flower Yarn

Takes 440 – 460 yards, of DK yarn, I’m thinking Tosh DK myself, and it’s free!

This is what the designer has to say about it:
“Duotone Cowl is a continuous loop created by grafting the ends of a stockinette tube. Two colors are worked in a series of stripes which switch in size halfway around the cowl.”

Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane

Takes 328 – 492 yards of DK, still thinking Tosh DK here, and it is free too.

The designer describes her work as more akin to a few notes, rather then a formal pattern.  This pleasant shawl is made up of several simple stitch patterns composed in a triangle shape.

Safety  Scarf by Stephen West

Takes 545 – 550 yards, Stephen’s version features soft and seriously bright Manos Maxima which we currently have on the shelves but any soft worsted might do the trick. You need not glow in the dark if you don’t want to.  The pattern can be downloaded for $6 USD

This is what Stephen has to say about it: “Choose a bright pop of color and work this scarf back and forth on straight needles. Rectangles, triangles and parallelograms form the textured sections of the reversible fabric. Stripes, seed stitch, moss stitch, garter stitch, and corrugated ridges keep the knitting interesting and fun. The fabric is seamed with a half twist so it can be worn looped around the neck two or three times. A vibrant neon color selection is perfect for staying safe while crossing the street or bicycling. Adorn your neck with a stylish Safety Scarf!”

Gramps by Tin Can Knits

Takes 330 – 600 yards, of worsted weight, this example is Madelinetosh Vintage,
It fits 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-24 months, 3-4 years  you can buy the pattern as a download or pick it up in all it’s paper glory here at the Knit Cafe.

This is a pretty adorable sweater – what tike, or let’s face it – Mom would not want one of these?

Lumberjack also by Tin Can Knits

Takes 100 – 425 yards of DK, These socks are fun for the whole family with sizing from newborn to adult.  You can purchase the pattern as a download or live and in person at the shop too!

DK weight socks will be a little faster to knit then standard sock weight ones making them a good choice for a gift-knit.

Bobble Sheep Pillow from the Purlbee

Takes 458 yards, Super Bulky for the wooly part and sport weight for the feets and face. I would suggest Brown Sheep Burly Spun and Cascade Superwash sport. This pattern is free!

Cozy Legs by Kate Oates

Takes 210 – 420 yards, shown here in delectably soft Anzula Cloud. Comes in three sizes to fit a 3-month old, a 1-year old and a 3-year old or anywhere in between.  You can purchase the pattern from ravelry for $6USD

I love all the colour-pattern options that this pattern features.  Wouldn’t it be fun to get some of our Anzula Cloud Mini Skeins to mix in as colour accents?

Watershed by Amy Swenson

Takes 360 – 600 yards, of aran weight yarn like pretty Madelinetosh Chunky or subtle Cascade Eco Wool.  The pattern can be purchased as a download for $5 USD

This little number would suit a lot of ladies in both fit and style.  A vest being sleeveless will be a quick knit. Give it a go for someone special on your list or maybe even yourself. You’re special!

Katie’s Mittens by Kristin Lamm

Takes 400 – 500 yards of fingering weight and the pattern is free.

Fairisle mittens are one of my most favourite things in the world and this pair is a very pretty example.

Colorblock Shawl by Jennifer Pfeiffer

Takes 400 – 500 yards of fingering weight yarn like Koigu Kppm, and we happen to have just received a whole lot of this pretty yarn too – imagine that! The pattern is free!

The designer says:“Colorblock Shawl is a fun twist on a classic triangular shawl. It is worked in one piece from the bottom up in solid, contrasting colors. It is a great beginner pattern, using simple increases to create the triangular shape.”

Accidentally on Purpose by The Knit Cafe

Takes 200 – 600 yards, of For Better or Worsted, which is as it’s name implies is a worsted weight yarn.  You can download this pattern or get it at the shop for $6.50

This is really two patterns in one. One is a classic scarf, with a texture stitch that is sure to appeal to both men and women. The other is a not too snug, not too loose neck tube or in other words – a cowl. Both projects are excellent for beginners with a simple stitch pattern called a Mistake Rib. The samples, knit with the Anzula yarn are luscious, with excellent drape thanks to the merino-cashmere blend. The scarf pattern includes an excellent trick for a smooth edge called a “slip stitch edge” which is explained in a tutorial that comes with the pattern.

Whew!
That will do for now.  Catch ya next week with projects under 400 yards.

Craftily yours
Kristin