December 24th, 2012
101 Knits (and Gifts!) of Christmas
Week Three
Hello, friends!

 So it's officially the 11th hour.  But with only a few hours left until D-Day, we've still got gifts on our that would make a spectacular holiday!  No time?  (You're not alone.  I may or may not have a sock and a half to finish before tomorrow morning.  And some shopping.  Ahem.)  Any of these ideas would fill this long holiday week--and the entire New Year--with hours of knitting bliss.


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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...

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Wool & Honey 
Holiday Hours

Thursday, December 27th:
Friday, December 28th: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 29th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

www.woolandhoney.com
www.woolandhoney.typepad.com (blog)

Winter Hours
Thursdays & Fridays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* * * * *

Merriest of Christmases to you and yours.  Hoping you're staying warm and bright.   

Melissa
101 Knits (and Gifts!) of Christmas

Weeks Three & Four

Wine Bottle Hats (Close Up)
51.  Wine bottle hats. 
When I'm down to the 11th hour without a personalized gift to give, I turn to a fabulous bottle of wine and these little hats.  They're unbelievably quick to knit, perfect for stash-busting and best of all, they're hilarious.  (Just watch the faces of your recipients--these are guaranteed to generate a few laughs!)

52.  A bottle of sparkling wine from one of the area's best vintners.   
We love the Blanc de Noirs.

53.  Or a bottle from Mawby's newest (photo courtesy of Ravelry)

54.   How about a cozy wine sweater to carry it in?


(image via Knitty.com)

I have easily made at least six pairs of these mitts over the years--with about 100 yards of yarn, they're the perfect small project.  Blink and they're done.  (And yes, you could definitely whip up a pair between now and New Year's Eve--they'd be a thoughtful hostess gift!)

I know what I hope to see in my stocking this year--a bit of local, fairly traded chocolate from my favorite local chocolatier.

bff cowls

57.  BFF Cowl.  

Like a friendship bracelet for you and your best friend....but it's knitted!

brooklet cowl
58.  Brooklet cowl. 

The Brooklet is a versatile long cowl in two colors that may be worn long and open, wrapped twice around the neck, or folded and looped through.  It is worked in one piece in the round in stockinette stitch in one color for the inside then continued in the round in a simple lace pattern in a second color for the outside.

Holiday Scarflette (Close Up)

59.  Holiday Scarflette. 

Need that little extra something to jazz up your outfit?  Not enough time (or yardage!) for a full-length scarf?  Here comes a scarflette to your rescue!  If you've got 100 yds, a few hours and a favorite decorative pin, you've got an instant accessory.  When I knit this, I thought to myself,  "Really?  Is that it?  Am I cheating?"

Happily, the answer is no.  It's just easy--and why on earth feel guilty about that?!?  The showstopper with this pattern isn't even the yarn--it's the funky vintage rhinestone pin.  This one is knit in a broken rib pattern, but try it with garter stitch or seed stitch, too!

 

Yarn:  

approximately 110 yds of dk weight yarn

  

Gauge:

5 sts/in on US 6 needle.

(While I'm usually a stickler for gauge, this is one case in which I'd forgo the swatch--it's a scarf, fer cryin' out loud!)

  

Cast on 21 sts.

  

Row 1: Knit all sts.

  

Row 2: *P1, K1; repeat from * to the last stitch, P1.

  

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until piece measures 20 inches in length, ending with Row 2.  

  

Bind off all sts.   

  

Weave in ends & enjoy!    

  

(Adjust length if necessary--you've got plenty of yardage to make the scarflette longer, if desired.)


Three Felted Bowls
60.  Three Felted Bowls.

Keeping clutter to a minimum (or at least storing clutter in an attractive way!) can be a full time job. These little felted vessels help enormously.  They're about as simple as they come--a knitted tube, essentially (with few decreases thrown in for good measure), a bit of hand felting and you're done.  Knit one for the entryway table to house keys and spare change, one for your knitting needles and one for a vase of flowers!  (Inside the tall white version is a pint-sized Mason jar to stablize the bowl.)


(photo courtesy of Interweave Press)   

Tie on a bit of string and use them as ornaments, fill them with lavender to make sachets for your linen drawer or hide a little jingle bell inside for a sweet baby shower gift.



62.  Felted Christmas Tree.
Every year I say I'm going to make this...next year, I will!
 


Who says holiday decorating has to stop at Christmas?  We've got a whole winter to display our knits!

 
64.  An I-Cord Scarf. 

Could there be anything easier?  How about an I-cord knit from self-striping yarn?  Tie three of them together, and you've got a funky accessory to wear to your next holiday party.

 

Yarn:  250 yds yarn, any weight

 

Cast on 5 sts.  Working in I-Cord, knit for 90 inches.  Make three cords.  Tie in a knot, loosely braid and tie at the other end.  Enjoy!

  

 
(photo from Knitty.com)
 
65.  Whoa!  Knitted jewelry.

Pearl Cuff 2

66.  Pearl Cuff. 

This one's ours--and it's crocheted!

67.  A pair of pearl and Petoskey stone earrings to match from our neighbor, Liz Saile.
(Heck, any piece of jewelry with Petoskey stones!)



68.  Crocheted river rocks
Why not?


 
69.  A lacy snowflake ornament.
Or earrings.  Or a necklace.  You be the judge!

Lavender Eye Pillow
 70.  Lavender Eye Pillow.
Feeling like a spa treatment? Fill this cute pouch with lavender, rice or flax seed and you've got a gift meant to soothe and relax. Pop it in the microwave for a warming aromatherapy treatment for anyone on your list that needs a little extra pampering.

Evergreen Spa Cloth (2)

71.  Evergreen Spa Cloth.
Who doesn't need a little pampering now and then, especially during the holidays? This Christmas tree adorned washcloth would be a nice gift for anyone on your list, or even for yourself to knit before your holiday guests arrive.


Spa Set  
72.  Spa Set.
We love knitted washcloths. There's just something about sudsing up with a luxurious lather and a handknit cloth that seems to make the daily routine a little less humdrum. Washcloths (and soaps!) make wonderful gifts for housewarmings, baby showers and really, for any occasion under the sun.

bee soap  
(Because this one bears repeating.)


(photo by Sweet Petula)
Again, hoping Santa remembers me!

 
(photo by Villainness) 
 
For those of you who've been naughty this year.  (Whipped is a dreamy formula that will keep those hardworking knitting hands smooth this winter!)

Frostbite, the Christmas Elf (Hat)

76.  Frostbite, The Christmas Elf Pattern

This is a whimsical holiday hat pattern.  Sure, it's a little goofy.  But if there's any time to pull off a crazy hat, it's Christmas. Pass the 'nog!

Yarn:  

approximately 110 yds of bulky weight

 

Gauge:

3 � sts per inch on US 10 � needle.

(Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.)

 

Cast on 70 sts.  Join to begin knitting in the round, being careful not to twist sts.  Work in stockinette stitch (knitting every round) until piece measures 4 inches from cast on edge.

Row 1 (decrease row):  

* K8, K2tog; repeat from * across row.
Row 2 and all even rows:  

Knit all sts.
Row 3 (decrease row):

*K7, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

Row 5 (decrease row):

*K6, K2og; repeat from * across row.

 

Row 7 (decrease row):

*K5, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

Row 9 (decrease row):

*K4, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

Row 11 (decrease row):

*K3, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

 

Continue working in stockinette stitch on these sts until piece measures 8 inches from cast on edge.

Next row (decrease row):

*K2, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

Knit one row.

Next row (decrease row):

*K1, K2tog; repeat from * across row.

Knit one row.

Next row (decrease row):

*K2tog; repeat from * across row.

 

Cut yarn, leaving a tail and pull through remaining sts.  Make a large pompom and attach to the top of the hat.  Weave in all ends and block lightly, if desired.  Enjoy!

 

 

Abbreviations:

BO: bind off

CO: cast on
K: knit
K2tog: knit two stitches together
P: purl
sl: slip
st st: stockinette stitch
sts: stitches 

 

   

(photo by Knitty.com) 

 

77.  Legwarmers.
Not just for dancers, these accessories are great for
layering over tights during the cold days ahead.




78.  Legwarmers for baby.

You can match!
  (And yes, I have already knit one pair of these in preparation for my little bee!)

 
 
I'd love this for my house....right next to my bed.

Home Sweet Home  
So you've knit hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters and socks....now what? Have you ever thought of knitting for your home? Sure, you've got baskets of yarn (and unfinished projects!) around the house to serve as "d�cor", but why not try knitting your own decorating accents?



 Not up for the challenge of 400+ hexipuffs?  Try knitting 20 and turning them into a chair pad.

knitted coasters   
(image courtesy of the Purl Bee)

82.  A set of coasters. 
Try them felted, quilted or just a set of knitted swatches.


aran afghan

Pretty much a perfect winter project, a few hours of stitching every week (or every night!) could yield some lovely results come spring.


lizard ridge  
84.  The Lizard Ridge Afghan.
Every Noro nut I've ever known has contemplated knitting this afghan--and a few have even completed it.  Perfect for all those onesie skeins of Noro you've been hanging on to.

(photo by Design Mom)

85.  A pompom garland. 

Y
up.  It's as easy as it sounds.  No knitting required!

 

(photo by
The Purl Bee)


Again, no knitting!

 
(photo by Oh Happy Day!) 
 
Next year!



Just the thing for quiet nights at home this winter in front of the fire.  I'm currently working on that sweet jumping deer.
 
89.  A drop spindle and some fiber. 
Channel your inner spinner--we've got all the supplies you need at the shop to learn this satisfying, primitive craft.  Call us at (231) 228-2800 to get started.

90.  A one-on-one knitting lesson for you and your sister. 
Interested in a special technique or pattern?  Need a two-hour refresher course?

We can structure a class around any area of interest.
Organize a group of four and we can tailor sessions to suit your schedule.
Find it hard to learn in a group setting? 
Private lessons are always welcome.
(231) 228-2800

91.  Or one for you and your granddaughter.

92.  Or your grandson.

 
(photo courtesy of haramis knits)

93.  A knitted sleeve for your phone, laptop or tablet.  
Maybe you couldn't make it out to the shop for last week's trunk show.  That's okay--you can find them here!

 
 
95.  An over-the-top, ridiculously cute rattle for baby.
Great for snippets of sock yarn!


(photo by the Purl Bee) 
  
96.  Felt baby shoes. 
Not knitting exactly, but handmade with an entire rainbow of wool felt, these would make a knockout shower gift for your granddaughter's first baby.

Cherries Jubilee  
97.  Cherries Jubilee.
For the quintessential Leelanau baby!


 
It's like a mini smoking jacket for babies!


 
Why even knit for adults anymore?!?

100.  $10.00 off your next in-store purchase in January!   
(See the coupon below.)
 
101.  A New Year filled with time to knit, the correct needle size always at your fingertips and all the fibery delights you could imagine.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Save $10.00!
Take $10.00 off your in-house January purchase of $50.00 or more.

Coupon may be used toward full-price merchandise only.  Coupon may not be used in conjunction with any other specials, sales or coupons.  Coupon may not be used toward special orders.
 
Offer Expires: January 31st, 2013