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.

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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