Christmas Treats from DROPS

Yarn company Garn Studio and its DROPS Design patterns offer a ton of opportunities for Christmas crafting. Each year they do a Christmas calendar, sort of like an advent calendar in which one new pattern is revealed every day (as of this writing they were all crochet, but it’s usually a mix). Their Christmas Workshop pattern collection could keep you going for years, and they even have a whole section devoted to red knit socks and another devoted to holiday-themed hot pads.

With all that in mind I thought I’d highlight just a few of their projects that I really like, and I hope you’ll go explore and share what you find, too.

These “calendar socks” would be cute in a bunch as an advent calendar on a clothesline, but since we don’t have time for that this year you could also use them to present small gifts, as decoration on a package or just in your regular holiday decor. It’s a great odd-ball-using project, too.
And speaking of socks, these snowman socks are adorable. I’ll bet that colorwork section goes faster than you think and you could still knit these before Christmas.
Julius the elf is a super cute little guy who could also be worked from scraps. I love his tiny head and big, round body.
Need a hostess gift or a thank you for someone who’s been extra good this year? Why not knit up and felt a bottle cozy that could be used for wine, olive oil or whatever else you like.

[Photo by DROPS Design.]

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I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.

To introduce you to the joys of summer garment knitting, I offer the Tied Vest from Lion Brand Yarn.

This easy project is great to make and wear throughout the year but it’s especially good for summer. It’s worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, mostly in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch edging. The I-cord ties are worked directly onto the garment so you don’t have to sew them on.

The project uses worsted weight yarn, and calls for a blend of cotton and hemp that’s great for warm weather.

There are eight size options, ranging from a finished chest measurement of 35 to 62.5 inches, or 89 to 159 cm. That makes it sound like it should be worn with at least a few inches of positive ease, but the pattern doesn’t specify.

The ties at the front give it a casual look and make it great to wear over a tank top or T-shirt when the weather is warm.

I also think this one would be good to knit in wool or a warmer fiber, too, to make a version you could wear more comfortably in the winter months, too. Though of course you could layer the summer version over a long-sleeved shirt and wear it throughout the year, too.

The tied vest is a free pattern available from Lion Brand. You can also purchase a kit that includes the yarn and optional needles and stitch markers if you need them.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

Knit an Easy Hooded Vest

Knit Vests to Help Transition to Warmer Weather

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