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I’ve whipped up a few fleece beanies to give as Christmas gifts. I used a pattern from The Green Pepper (Polar Beanies).
Beanies that I plan to give the gals in the family, I’ve decorated with fancy buttons (like that above). I did add extra length to the bottom of all of the beanies because I wanted a clean interior edge (the extra length allowed me to create a hem). The pattern is for all sizes. I created copies of each size by recycling large paper grocery bags. The nice thing about paper bags is they’re more durable than pattern paper. This beanie is snuggy and warm and can be completed in two hours or less. I have a few more cut out, but I’m pretty tired of making things, so those who will be missed this year, may get beanies next year.
Here’s a helpful tip when buying fleece for small projects like hats, scarfs, and mittens. Watch for fleece sales – lots of remnants are created during these sales. There is plenty of variety and you get the added remnant discount on top of the sales price. Picking up discounted fleece remnants is the way to go!
My mother will get this soft spiral of Lion Brand Moonlight Mohair (Coral Reef #510-207) for Christmas.
You can find the free pattern for this scarf at the Lion Brand website. Download it here (#50193-1K).
The pattern actually calls for two yarns, the less expensive Homespun and the more costly Moonlight Mohair. I purchased the Moonlight Mohair at the end of the holiday season last year. If you really like this yarn, wait until after the new year to pick it up. You’ll likely find it on sale at your local crafts store.
Moonlight Mohair is a very beautiful yarn. Unfortunately, pictures don’t adequately capture fiber color, texture, and quality.
I picked up the pattern for this hat at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store. It was a freebie sitting in front of the Sensations Soles & More sock yarn.
I had sock yarn in my stash, Deborah Norville Collection: Serenity to be exact, and decided to use it. This hat is made with one skein of Thyme DN104-01. I used number 2 needles (circular and double-pointed). I altered the pattern for the decreases at the top. The pattern suggested a knit row between every decrease row. I did that only half way through the reduction process. Additionally, I changed up the pattern on the ear flaps. After 4 rows of seed stitch, I moved to straight knit stitch for the decrease rows.
I think this is a very fun hat. I have another skein of this yarn and I think I’ll make a skinny scarf to match. There is a pattern for a scarf along with the hat pattern, but I’ll likely change it up, like I do everything else.
I doubt I’ll ever knit another hat with sock yarn as it takes a long time to knit, but I do like the patterning that the yarn provides.
One more thing, “It ain’t easy being the model and the photographer.” One can’t do it without feeling like a complete nerd.
In addition to knitting and crocheting Christmas gifts, I’m also keeping my sewing machine busy. Today, I finished this apron. I’m not sure who is going to get this one, as I have a few others in the queue. When I’ve completed them all, then I’ll decide who gets what.
This apron was created with Simplicity 3818; though, I did not include the funky shoulder pad things. I recycled an old tablecloth that belonged to my grandmother for the pocket and part of the pin. The body of the apron is a very light lime green, hardly detectable in the picture, but I think someone will like the zingy happiness of it.
I made the pattern for the pin myself. It’s very simple and it’s a good way to use up scraps of material.
DOWNLOAD FREE FLOWER PIN PATTERN!
Well, it’s back to work for me; there’s so much to do and so little time.
I’m knitting and crocheting like a mad woman now. I’m trying to get gifts made for Christmas. I’m not quite sure how successful I’ll be, but I’m giving it my best shot. Last night I finished this little feline. I was inspired by this pattern at Armina’s Ami-nals.
I followed Armina’s directions for creating the head, the body, and the ears; however, I created different legs because I wanted the kitten to look like a cat sitting on its hindquarters. I also created a tail. The tail makes this toy look more cat-like, and it acts as a balance. The kitten can stand on its own. Also, rather than crocheting a dress, I knitted a scarf, long enough to wrap twice and tie, and I crocheted a little hat with a tassle.
My plan is to give this toy to my niece, Amanda, at Christmas. She likes cats as much as I do. If time allows, I’ll try to knit her a matching scarf/hat.
This long, thin scarf is constructed with two yarns – Berroco Monet (color 3393: dye lot 20775 – now discontinued) and Patons Lacette (color 30128 – now discontinued).
I used size 15 needles (10 stitches cast on) and knitted the entire scarf in garter stitch (both yarns together).
I made extra long and uneven fringe and added a few silver and clear glass beads.
It’s fun casual wear.
- Henri, the Knitted Bear
- Cat Hoodie (see dog hoodie below)
- Mary Jane Booties
- Toad Stool Baby Rattle
- Dog Hoodie (now you can make a matching set for your cat and dog)
As seen in the Examiner – Christmas Scarf Wall.
I finally finished this scarf! I don’t know why it took me so long. Perhaps, it’s because I actually had to pay attention to what I was doing.
I’m providing the pattern in case you’d like a knitting project that you can’t do while watching something interesting on TV. 
Notice that the front and back of the scarf have very different patterns. I don’t know which I like better. It’s because the patterns are so rich that I decided to use a light-colored yarn. Also, I like how the last row segments the scarf into blocks.
Yarn used: Bernat Satin (color 03010)
Needles: size 9
Cast on 28 stitches. Work the pattern below until the scarf is the length you desire.
Pattern (consists of 24 rows):
Row 1: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 2: Pearl the knit stitches and knit the pearl stitches. DO THIS FOR ALL EVEN ROWS, EXCEPT FOR ROW 24.
Row 3: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 5: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 7: K3, *P6, K2; repeat from *, end with P6, K3.
Row 9: K3, *P6, K2; repeat from *, end with P6, K3.
Row 11: K3, *P6, K2; repeat from *, end with P6, K3.
Row 13: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 15: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 17: K3, *P2, K2: repeat from *, end with P2, K3.
Row 19: K3, P2, *K2, P6; repeat from *, end with K2, P2, K3.
Row 21: K3, P2, *K2, P6; repeat from *, end with K2, P2, K3.
Row 23: K3, P2, *K2, P6; repeat from *, end with K2, P2, K3.
Row 24: Repeat row 23 – this is what makes the pattern blocks.
DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN IN PDF FORMAT.
Front of Wayward Waves Scarf
Back of Wayward Waves Scarf
I love Halloween, and I’ve long wanted a haunted tree to decorate with Halloween ornaments. Being resourceful, I created my own haunted tree with a Halloween bucket, black spray paint, a dead branch found in my back yard, a cube of green florist Styrofoam, and black glitter. After creating the tree, I wanted something to hang on it; therefore, I’ve begun creating my own little spooky decorations, beginning with an amigurumi ghost.
This first ornament (I’ll show you others as I create them.) is made from crocheting and then felting Patons Classic Wool. He’s one of a kind. I had a mental image of what I wanted to create and single-crocheted my way there. If I were to do this project again, I’d aim for a different shape so that each ghost would be unique. The thing I love about crochet is that it allows one to sculpt fiber.
I noticed when I turned him upside down he looked like the top of a Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream. All that’s needed for another amigurumi is a felted waffle cone.
Next, I think I’ll crochet a witch hat or two.
Related post: Knitting and Crochet Projects for Harry Potter Fans
