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Here’s to handmade and heartfelt
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FESTIVE KITS FOR QUICK KNITS
HOLIDAY SOCK-CESS
TIPS FOR TRAVEL KNITTING
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GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
COLORS FOR A SEASON OF GIFTING
CHRISTMAS CALLS FOR COOKIES
I
sn’t it the same every year? The holidays just seem to sneak up. And we know as well as anyone that
starting on your to-do list can take some… um… gentle nudging. So this year, we’re lending a hand to help you give Santa a little friendly competition.
P.S.
We left a ething little som the for you on r. ve back co
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We teamed up with some of our favorite GIFT IDEAS FOR THE LAST MINUTE
knitters to track down the season’s most gift-worthy ideas, tips and trends. And we brought it all together — stitch by stitch
DIY KNIT GIFT CARD
— in this collection of holiday gems.
HOLDERS
So cue the yuletide tunes and get those WRAP IT IN YARN
needles clicking. Your coziest Christmas is right around the corner. Merry Knitting,
The Craftsy knitting crew
Find festive patterns on our blog
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OH DEER! Get cozy with this couch companion. $6.48
Sunne Meyer Craftsy Instructor
My first holiday after getting married, I made 13 large Fair Isle stockings for our families.
WHAT’S IN A KIT?
+ Downloadable Perfectly paired pattern yarn
And while we don’t get to see the whole family every
The only thing missing is you.
year, I love knowing those stockings are hanging, filled, in everyone’s homes. It keeps us all close, even if geographically we’re not.”
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See Sunne’s class, Stranded Colorwork: Basics & Beyond
Just add love Our ready-to-knit picks for a season of merry making
ORNA-MEANT TO BE. This little guy can’t wait to hang out. $22.80
SANTA? Don’t worry — your secret’s safe with us. $15.72
HE MIGHT BE COLD … but he’ll melt your heart. $15.20
HAVE A BALL… or three…. and spruce up the tree. $14.95
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
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One year, I made my mom an alpaca lace shawl and she completely loved it. Looking back now, I can see where I got completely off in my lace chart — the lace was in a nice row and it suddenly jogs over to the side, and there are holes in it — but she still loves it. Whenever we go to a knitting store or a knitting event, she wants to wear it because she’s so proud of me.”
Light and Up Shawl Kit $18.40
Stefanie Japel Craftsy Instructor
See Stefanie’s class, Knit Lab There’s always more at Craftsy.com
Sock-cess! Treat their tootsies to a very merry Christmas
Schism Socks Kit $21.99
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Miriam Felton Craftsy Instructor
I made my mom her first pair of socks for Christmas one year. When I asked her a few months later how she liked them, she admitted she was afraid of getting a hole in them.
12 FREE sock knitting patterns on the blog
I explained to her that wearing out a pair of handknit socks is the highest compliment. I make her socks nearly every Christmas now.”
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See Miriam’s class, Lace Shawl Design
SOCKS, STEP-BY-STEP Dip your toes into new skills
Windowpane Socks Kit $12.39-$19.99
(and socks!) with our FREE 2016 Knit-Along video. You’ll get step-by-step instructions for these three cozy stocking stuffers. Check out the 2016 Knit-Along
Serpentine Socks Kit $22.78
Smocked Guernsey Socks Kit $17.59 There’s always more at Craftsy.com
Dashing through the snow OUR BLOGGERS Ashley Little
and Kathryn Vercillo wrangled up a few things to know for knitting on the go.
Archer Lace Scarf Knit Kit $10.39-$20.78
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Enjoy free travel knitting patterns on our blog
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PEEK THE PATTERN Take a look before you leave to make sure you’re familiar with all the techniques. There’s nothing worse than starting a trip and getting stuck in the middle of a project! (And should we really assume that Aunt Martha has Wi-Fi?)
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IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD... Or at least it can be when you choose an easy, repetitive pattern. Just work a couple rows, and you’ll have it memorized in no time! There’s no need to look back — and no need to stop your knitting.
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NO SKEIN, NO PAIN Use a center-pull ball for your travel knitting to stay tangle-free. And if you need to convert your skeins before a trip, don’t forget about a ball-winder — it might just be your new best friend!
Get this FREE pattern
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DIVIDE AND CONQUER Worried you can’t work a big project on the go? When you break a large project down into small pieces, it opens up your possibilities. Think sweaters sleeves, blanket pieces and beyond.
Get this pattern
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STITCH MARKERS TO THE RESCUE! When you’re traveling, you never know when you’ll have to put a row on pause. But with stitch markers by your side, that’s no problem! You can even team your markers up with a row counter, so you always know where you are.
Gifts for everyone on your list (and we mean everyone!)
“How did you know?� Find 8 fluffball-approved patterns on our blog
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Demmit Lace Hat Kit $20.79
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Eve Mitts Kit $11.99
Baker Moss Stitch Cowl Kit $11.99
Courie In Sweater Kit $57.55-$192.62
Smocked Guernsey Sock Kit $17.59 There’s always more at Craftsy.com
GIFTS FOR YOUR BESTIE Zerlina Knit Lace Shawl Kit $23.98
Find patterns for women on our blog
Ashburn Shawl Kit $33.54
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Pisac by Shawl Kit $23.58
Spreading Vines Stole Kit $42.33
FOR YOUR NO. 1 GUY Find patterns for men on our blog
Northshore Cardigan Kit $33.84-$45.12
Colorplay Hoodie Sweater Kit $13.62-$22.70
Simple Bulky Moss Stitch Blanket Kit $136.00
Basic Beanie Hat Kit $5.99-$11.98
For My Man Socks Kit $13.60
FOR KIDDOS
Find patterns for toddlers on our blog
Aerial Hat Kit $12.39 - $19.98 There’s always more at Craftsy.com
For our favorite knitter (that means you!)
Huntley Meadows Cowl Kit $68.76
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DREAMING IN COLOR? Start dyeing your own yarn.
Get the course + yarn bundle Knit Faster With Continental Knitting (our most popular class!)
Lacis Ball Winder and Umbrella Swifts $75.65
Set of 9 Knitter’s Pride 12” x 12” Blocking Mats $30.00
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
Dark, Rich & Dreamy Plum, Bark and Lichen Shown in Bernat Roving
Deck the halls With this season’s most sought-after color combos
Out of This World Steam Age, Kitten, Stargazing, Fathom and Dahlia
Shown in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light
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Berry Merry Majesty, Violet, Raspberry and Strawberry Cream Shown in Cascade 220 Superwash
The Holiday Blues Ocean, Sky Blue, Teal and Navy
Shown in Cloudborn Superwash Merino Worsted Twist
Au Naturel
Natural, Coffee Heather, Pecan Heather and Espresso Heather Shown in Cloudborn Alpaca and Highlands Naturals
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
W
e sat down with designer Franklin Habit to chat gifts, colors and a season of giving.
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FRANKLIN HABIT Craftsy Instructor
I don’t subscribe to the traditional idea that in fall and winter we have to drain the color out of our wardrobe.”
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Dive deeper into the world of color with Franklin’s online class
What’s rewarding about knitting a gift? Love in every stitch is a beautiful concept... But what’s even more beautiful is giving
color something brilliant and pure — like a bright purple or a brilliant blue. That usually gives a combination excitement without risking going over the top.
someone who is difficult to fit or difficult to please a garment that makes them happy.
How do you choose the colors? I know it might sound really simplistic, but I think it’s important: If the person is extremely fond of purple and you don’t like purple, reach for purple first. The gift is supposed to be about the recipient and not the knitter. You can also look to their clothes for cues...
Are solids too boring for gifts?
What colors are particularly trendy this year?
I always reach for solids and semi-solids.
I do think that the tendency toward brilliant,
Time for a tough one — what’s your favorite color?
saturated colors seems to be continuing. But that might just be wishful thinking on
I’m actually a solids guy...
my part… Chicago winters are very long,
Oh, wow. What day is it?
very drab and very devoid of rich color — so
I reach to cool colors an awful lot. Cobalt
that’s what I crave.
blue is a perpetual favorite. I have a cobalt blue vase I bought ages ago that I use as the
Give us an example combo for a fashion-forward friend. I would put them in a brilliant blue, a salmon pink, and with those, black and canary yellow. But that’s only for someone who is very fashion-forward and very confident.
key point for picking groups of colors.
Is there anything else you want to tell our knitters before they get started? Play with different colors before you launch into a full-on project. That’s where you
Any advice for spicing up those neutrals? If you want to make sure it doesn’t look too
find the happy surprises. They take a gift that would have been ho-hum and make it extremely memorable.
dull, go for a second color and make that
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
Christmas for your cookie jar Try a fresh new spin on a holiday classic
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Find more cookie bliss on our blog
Don’t be surprised when Santa comes back for seconds... Cranberry-Orange Shortbread (24 cookies) 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries 1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/8 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
1/4 tsp almond extract 1/2 tbsp finely grated orange zest
1. Cream butter until smooth. Add
3. Form dough into two logs, each
powdered sugar a little at a time,
about 1 1/2 inches in diameter; wrap in
beating until smooth. Add vanilla and
parchment and refrigerate until firm, at
almond extracts, orange zest and
least 1 hour.
cranberries, then mix.
4. Preheat the oven to 350° F. If frozen, let
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together
logs stand at room temp. for 10 minutes.
flour, baking powder and salt. Add the
Remove parchment and slice logs into
flour mixture to the butter mixture,
1/4-inch thick rounds. Space each about
mixing gently until the dough comes
1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake
together in a thick paste.
about 12 minutes.
DID YOU KNOW? We have online baking classes too! Check ‘em out here There’s always more at Craftsy.com
Knitting last-minute? These single-skein kits are perfect for “fashionably late� Find quick-knit patterns on our blog
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Knit Night Shawl Kit $14.39
Easy Lettlopi Mittens Kit $5.50-$11.00
Easy Cowl Three Ways Kit $10.39
Forest Moss Cowl Kit $23.98
Rime Knit Hat Kit $11.99
Elati Street Cowl Kit $7.99 There’s always more at Craftsy.com
That little something extra...
From Mary I.T. Wizard
Knit in red, white and green strands for a classic holiday color combo.
Glam up their gift card with a DIY holder
KNIT GIFT CARD HOLDER Start with this quick-and-easy pattern from our blogger Ashley Little. Then add your own creative flair! Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn Needles: US 8, set of double-pointed or long circular for Magic Loop Gauge: 4 stitches per inch Other supplies: Yarn needle
Cast on 20 sts. Join to work in the round. Rows 1 & 2: Purl around. Row 3: Knit around. Repeat Row 3 until work measures 3½ inches long.
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From Kristin Blog Bandit
Base knit in simple white yarn with a crocheted holly detail on top.
NEED A LITTLE INSPIRATION? CHECK OUT A FEW FROM THE CRAFTSY CREW
From Carly
Customer Support Superhero Made using two strands — one solid and one variegated — plus a drip-dyed bow.
From Kim
Content Editor Extraordinaire Used a drip-dyed yarn, a simple ribbing on the edge and a cute blue button.
From Lindsey Resident Needle Ninja
Knit in cream with green blanket stitching around the edge.
Used a solid green to draw attention to the eyelets along the edge.
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
That’s a wrap! Go stashbusting for a festive finishing touch
Woven Wrap Wow ‘em with woven wrapping
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ADD SOME PIZZAZZ WITH THE POM POM
Tassel Topper Tack on some top-notch tassels
There’s always more at Craftsy.com
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