101 Knits (and Gifts!) of Christmas
Week Two

Hello, friends!

Thank you for all your well wishes and warm thoughts in response to last week's email.  It's taking me a bit to make my way through the avalanche of emails--Curt and I are reading every single one....I am so touched by your kind words.  If you haven't heard from me yet, you will!

We've got a special treat coming up this weekend--a holiday trunk show featuring two very talented artist friends of mine, Victoria Velting and Andrea Henry.






Owner and designer Victoria Velting offers a fresh, modern take on bohemian chic by modifiying clothing and creating accessories using repurposed materials.  Victoria's creations run the gamut, with everything from a recycled t-shirt tunic to a gypsy jacket to multi-functional bags. She breaks down the conventions of current trends by mixing modern style with bits and pieces of life's ephemera.

Andrea Henry's jewelry has been a staple at Wool & Honey for the past six years.  Her fresh and unique pairings of color and texture are popular with any age group--who couldn't use a little extra color in their stocking this year?

Our holiday trunk show will be this Friday, December 14th from 6-9 pm and Saturday, December 15th from 10 am to 2 pm--we'll have wine and treats on Friday night...and coffee and more treats on Saturday.  

This trunk show is meant for those of you who just don't have enough time to knit one more thing....between exquisite handmade dolls, earrings, bracelets, headbands, baby gifts, clutch bags and purses, you can still give Handmade this Christmas--without the work!

* * * * *

How's the knitting coming along?  I'm just starting my list, and even though it seems like I'm cutting it close, there's still plenty of time for small, meaningful gifts this season.

Which is why we've come up with a new tradition--101 Knits (and Gifts!) of Christmas. 

We've selected some of our very favorite knits, kits and gift ideas from Wool & Honey (and beyond) and we'll be sending an email every weekend between now and Christmas.  Some are free patterns, some are yarns, some are kits and more still are ready-t0-give gifts for knitters and non-knitters alike for those of you who, like me, might need an extra boost this holiday season.  We hope you enjoy this list we've curated especially for you--you're bound to find something you'll love.

We ship Priority Mail right to your home--or to someone you love--every day of the week.  We can include a special note or card--let us know how we can make your holidays shine.  And don't forget: shipping is ALWAYS free for orders over $75.   

Read below for more...

* * * * *

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend at the trunk show:
Friday, December 14th from 6 to 9
Saturday, December 15th from 10 to 2

We'll have treats, wine and gifts to share--see you then!

Melissa

26, 27, 28 and 29.  Northern Dreams Alpaca.
This farm-fresh yarn, brought to you by the critters themselves, would make wonderfully cozy mittens, hats, cowls, scarves and sweaters. Take a piece of Leelanau County home with you--these animals live right down the road!

Northern Dreams Alpaca yarns are exclusively sold at Wool & Honey.

 

30.  North Woods Hat.
So what do you knit for those men on your list?  How about a ribbed hat knit with one of our most favorite local yarns, Northern Dreams Alpaca? This soft, natural brown yarn should please even the fussiest of guys. If you've got a man (or two!) on your list, this simple style will keep him toasty warm.  Wear this hat with the brim rolled up or down--you choose!



31.  Cabled Fingerless Mitts by local designer Amy Tyler.
This is a great pattern--4 in 1!  This fingerless mitts pattern comes with four cable-stitch pattern variations.  Three of the mitt patterns have cables that lean in opposite directions for the right and left hands, so they mirror each other.  One pattern has a symmetrical cable, so it is the same for both the right and the left hands.
We can totally see these knit with Why Knot's Candy Stripe Merino (pictured below).



32 & 33.  Why Knot Candy Stripe Merino.
So fun!  This yarn is hand-dyed by local fiber fanatic, Kat Eldred.  One skein will make a fun, squooshy cowl...or a hat...or a pair of mittens...or....

35.  Cabin Cozy.

To go with all of that tea that's brewing, of course!

(photo courtesy of Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.)

36.  Leelanau Coffee.
So you're not into tea.  Raise a cup of the county's very best joe from Northern Michigan's original coffee roaster.  (I'll admit that I might be a bit biased....before my knitting days, I was their Production Manager and head roaster!)


(photo courtesy of Ravelry)

37.  Coffee Sleeve.
Nothing bums me out on my morning commute more than burnt fingers.  (Well, except a burnt tongue.  And a gigantic coffee stain on the front of my shirt.) 
Keep your mitts comfy with a mitten for your cup! 



38. French Press Cozy.
And if you're brewing your own, you do know the very best method is to French Press it, right? 



39.  Fireside Slipper Socks.
What's cozier than Christmas morning spent in front of a cracking fire with mulled cider, your family and Bing Crosby's holiday album? How about Christmas morning padding around the house in a pair of cozy slipper socks? 
One of our best-selling Wool & Honey patterns.


(photo courtesy of Ravelry)

40.  Hot Water Bottle Cozy.
Tuck this sweater-clad hot water bottle near your toes this winter--you'll never know how you slept without it!



41.  Here Comes the Sun.
A perennial favorite pattern at the shop--and it truly couldn't be simpler.
Shown with one long twist around the neck and one short, this scarf can be wrapped once more around the neck to create a layered cowl.

42.  Why Knot Lace Weight.
Flamingo pink...why not?!?  One skein will make two Here Comes the Sun patterns!

43.  A beautiful laceweight shawl.
Click here to view over 100 FREE patterns on Ravelry that would be perfect for this very yarn.



44.  Evergreen Cowl.
Feeling blah about your current wardrobe?  Try a cowl on for size. Like a miniature scarf, this close-fitting neck warmer is knit with some of the most luxurious yarn you'll ever feel. (Hello, cashmere!) If you've never cabled before, these meandering stitches are just enough to test the waters.  One-stitch buttonholes are super simple and the pearl buttons give it a dressy feel.  The green is soft and neutral-feeling, making it a great gift (even for your [ahem!] particular daughter-in-law!)
May we suggest the Great Lakes Ranch Suri Alpaca? 
One skein will make two cowls!


45.  A Chubby Little Stocking. 
No time?  No problem!  If you've got a few hours to spare, you can knit this cute  holiday keepsake that's just a little smaller than the traditional size.  A chunky-weight Noro yarn does all the work by striping on its own and the bright colors are a funky take on a heirloom knit, although we think it'd be the perfect addition to a rustic holiday decor if you knit it with the Great Lakes Yak.  This would be a great gift for knitters, too--stuff a Wool & Honey gift certificate inside if you're feeling extra jolly!


46.  A gift certificate to Wool & Honey.
Call us at (231) 228-2800--we can send one to you anyone you'd like...for any amount!



47.  A handmade baby gift from a local artist/expert seamstress.
(You'll have to stop by the shop on Friday night from 6 to 9 or Saturday from 10 to 2 to get your hands on one!)

48.  An upcycled tote bag for your knitting partner-in-crime.
(Again, stop by on Friday night to choose from an assortment of carefully curated fabrics and styles--Victoria makes a mini-clutch called the "Zippy Wallet" which is perfect for carrying your knitting notions!)



49.  An Itty Bitty Gift Bag....with a pair of Andrea's earrings tucked inside!
A Wool & Honey shop pattern where the wrapping is half the gift itself.  Come look at the selection this Friday evening from 6 to 9--or Saturday afternoon from 10 to 2.

50.  One of the 25 ideas we sent you last week.

Missed out on the email?  Check out the first 25 gifts--and our entire email archive--here.