Book Review – Mini Knits for Christmas

“Mini Knits for Christmas” by Sue Stratford is a collection of 40 adorable Christmas mini knitted figures and decorations to make your festive season extra special. From Mary and Joseph to the little donkey and a stable, or a show-stopping Santa’s sleigh complete with all eight reindeers, you can knit a charming nativity scene. Other Christmas accessories to decorate your home, such as Christmas crackers, baubles, mistletoe and candy canes, will make your knitted Christmas complete.

The patterns in the book are clear, simple, and easy to follow, making it perfect for knitters of all skill levels. The author includes step-by-step photographs of useful techniques, making it easy for even a novice knitter to understand. These cute, pocket-sized knits are quick and easy to make, as well as a great way of using up leftover yarn.

Not only are these mini knits great for festive gifts, but they also make cute decorations that the whole family will love. This edition includes material from two best-selling Christmas titles, “Mini Knitted Christmas” and “20 to Make: Mini Christmas Knits”, making it the perfect guide for your holiday knitting.

“Mini Knits for Christmas” is a must-have guide for anyone who wants to create charming and unique Christmas decorations that will be cherished for years to come. With clear instructions, step-by-step photography, and a wide range of fun and festive projects, you’ll have everything you need to make your knitted Christmas complete.

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

Have you read?