Christmas in July day 7

Today is all about shawls.Whether they are triangles, rectangles, squares, circles or half circles, they are incredibly useful and stylish.  They can be just for show or keep you warm as well.

Here are links to just a few

Lacy Shawl

Square in a Square shawl

Here is a link to the Patons Yarn company list for shawls

Chirstmas in July Day 6

Today is the day to think about who might need an afghan as a gift.

Do you have a wee one coming into the family?  Feather and Fan baby afghan is a quick and easy pattern to be completed in time for the new arrival. This is one that would work equally well in Christmas colors.  

Do you have a new couple in the family?  Tree of Life Afghan for knitting  or  Tree of Life afghan for crocheting  is a very nice gift for the newly weds gathered under your tree.  Lion Brand even  a has a baby version.  

Do you just want to keep someone warm?  Try these beginer choices choices in knit and crochet.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/knit-lapghan
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-granny-blues-lapghan
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/reversible-squares-afghan
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/blue-ice-throw

You might enjoy these more challenging choices.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/tumbling-blocks-throw
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pattern-correction-isle-aran-throw
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/tumbling-blocks-throw
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/colorful-squares-throw

Christmas in July day 5

A Scarf Just for YOU!!

Advent usually comes right around the first of December.  However, knowing that we have so many things to do during the holiday season, here is a gift for YOU early.  You could do it over a period of 4 weeks just like Advent normally runs but you could also take longer to do it.

Advent scarf from 2012  I have linked the English version.  There is a German version that you can find if you want it.  You can use lace weight, sock weight, sport weight or even worsted weight for this scarf.  It will affect the finished size though.

Christmas in July Day 4

Because today is the 4th of July, a day that holds a lot of meaning in America, I have something that will remind me of fireworks.  I remember as a child sitting on a blanket or possibly a lawn chair watching the fireworks display.  As I got older, the colors and shapes held even more appeal but were less visual since the store that sponsored them went out of business.  The community park that put on a display at the other end of town had very large trees obscuring the view that I discovered I had from the second story of my soon to be home with my soon to be new husband.  I still love seeing the reds, greens, blues, and bright whites of the displays.  I'm not such a big fan when the large BOOM!!! hits though.

Today's projects are holiday party appropriate and a nice reminder of this day.  The patterns for today are evening bags, those tiny little purses to hold just enough to get you through a party or a nice evening out.  This idea hit me when I read 
"Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split" by Laurie Perry.

 She has some really cute patterns in the back of the book.  Her pattern that I zeroed in on was for a lightly felted yet sparkly fun fur wallet sized purse hanging from a bracelet or two.  The bracelet idea really appealed to me.  Keeps things close that I may need and doesn't get in the way except for eating.

I took this idea and decided to run with it a bit.  What about holding 2 or 3 strands of sparkly yarn together without the wool for felting and using a smaller needle size?  Good just don't keep pens or loose change in there.  What about holding a strand or two of sequin studded yarn with or without the furry yarn?  Also good.  Either one of these with the wool?  Interesting.  I came up with all kinds of things.  Let your imagination soar with this.

Then I thought what else is out there for this???  I know I'm usually up for a nice new bag for a special occasion.  I don't always have something though.

Here are some links for your consideration.

Crochet Links                                            

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/mini-key-ring-purses         
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/beaded-knit-clutch-purse   
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/got-have-it-bag


  Knit Links
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/felted-tuck-purse
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/beaded-crocheted-circular-purse

Christmas in July Day 3

Today is all about the mittens.  There are serious mittens.  There are fun mittens.  There are thrummed mittens.  They can be big or small.  Basic mittens are a quick and easy project to make.  Be sure to check sizes before starting yours.  Some of these are for kids and some are for adults.  Some are in between.  There is even one for the hand holding set.

Knitting pattern links such as these are fun.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80673B.html?noImages=
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60401.html?noImages=
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kwec-2NeedleMittens.html?noImages=
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/khs-heartsOnAStringMitts.html?noImages=

Crochet pattern links such as these are quick, easy and fun.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80670B.html?noImages=
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20305.html?noImages=0
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-heartsOnAStringMitts.html?noImages=
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/clc-santaMittens.html?noImages=

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/cwec-mittens.html?noImages=




For the young and young at heart who hold hands everywhere.  http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=4531&lang=us

One knit mitten for each and one mitten with space for both hands

Christmas in July Day 2

Some days only links will be posted.  Others I will write a bit more.

Today on my list of growing ideas for gifts:  Slippers.

Some are easy.  Some are simple.  Some are great for staying warm.  Some are really cool.

Here are a few ideas for you.

A blast from the past with these crochet cuties:  http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pudgy-piggy-slippers

Something a bit more feminine that can be customized for Christmas if you choose.  http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cottage-slippers

Something warm and for everyone in the family: http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4943

The Paton's site requires you to sign up for free to access their patterns.  If I remember correctly, you need a user name and a password.

Christmas In July

It's that time of year again.  Time to think of what, if anything will I make for family and friends.  Even though the temps are 90+* for most of us and the last thing we want to contemplate is holding all that nice warm wool, we can think of what to make and gather patterns and materials.  Even I don't do much knitting or crocheting in summer.

Will you do sweaters?  Those do need time to complete.  Depending on how you work and what you do, a lot of time is required to finish a sweater.

Will you do quick and easy projects for more people?  Things like hats and mittens are quick and easy.  Slippers fall into this category.  

Are shawls and afghans on your hit list for gift giving?  Perhaps you have wee ones on your list who might like toys.  Possibly you and your recipients are of a practical nature and gift giving is of the use it up variety.

During this month, I will be linking to things of all types that might be on your gift recipients lists.  Some sites will require you to register to access the pattern.  All are free.  Most will want no more than your user name and a password.

To get us started and stay cool for now, try these ideas.  Pair them up with new cooking utensils or a set of pans.  Add these personal touches to a dinner basket that has all the fixings for a favorite meal for the cook in the family.  

Crocheted potholder  Knit potholder  Don't like these?  Try these links for more options.  One thing to keep in mind for this type of project of to use either wool or cotton.  Acrylic will  melt. 

More crocheted potholders   More knitted potholders

As always, if you need help with a project, either directions in the pattern or a specific technique, check with your local Michaels to see when your Knit or Crochet Instructor is available.