Knitting

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Giveaway: DIY Holiday Magazine

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Win a copy of DIY Holiday magazine from Interweave/F+W.

Congratulations to Deanna, Maureen and Mary.

If you’re a multi-crafter who likes to give handmade and/or decorate your home with handmade things, you need to check out DIY Holiday 2014: The Crafting Life, a new crafty magazine from Interweave/F+W.

The magazine is 100 pages long and is chock-full of patterns and inspiration that you can quilt, sew, bead, knit, crochet and weave, as well as mixed media projects.

In the knitting realm you’ll find a cool woven heart ornament by Ann McDonald Kelly, Cathy Carron’s garter stitch mug cozies, a two-color snowflake cowl by Celeste Young and Andrea Babb’s unisex Walker Scarf, which features twisted rib and little trails of cables at the ends.

Other projects I like include a biased granny square crocheted pillow by Vickie Howell, the lovely, easy and ever-so useful quilted trivets by Debbie Bento and Susan Haynes Opdhal’s lovely embroidered Shisha Ornaments. The resin bangles by Heidi Boyd, which allow you to show off a little of your passion on your wrist, are simply amazing, too.

The magazine retails for $9.99 and is available online at the above link (paper or digital), but I’m giving you a chance to win one of three copies this week.

If you’d like one, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, November 23. I’d love to hear what kind of crafts you’re working on for the holidays, whether for yourself, your home or to give as a gift. I have three of the six cowls I need to make done, and I’m taking a break from them with some super simple all stockinette arm warmers that are just for me.

Thanks for visiting, commenting, and sharing, and good luck!

Comments

  2. This year I decided not to make myself crazy, and yet i find myself racking up a couple must-do knitted hat projects once I finish the Spider Man blanket I started 1-1/2 months ago. I’ve got just over a month, right?

  5. I’m taking it easy on myself this year 🙂 I have a sweater that I want to finish by Christmas, and one seashell wreath (no knitting) that I’m making for a gift. I love the projects in this magazine. Thanks for another great giveaway!!

  10. Right now I’m trying to finish up a baby shower gift – due the weekend after Thanksgiving. I’m almost done and then I can start new projects. I’m not really planning anything special for Christmas gifts this year although I might make something for 3 friends (fingerless mitts, perhaps?)

  11. Right now I’m working on gift baskets (taco themed) with homemade salsa, seasonings, etc. and some homemade potholders.

  14. Im making up 1″ hexis in xmas fabric and stringing them together as little garlands for the tree : )

  15. For holiday gifts, I’m knitting socks, car cup holder cozies, and mason jar drink cups (fixings for coffee, hot cocoa etc).

  16. I am working on a hat and scarf for my daughter as this is her first year living in the snow. I also have a few ideas going for other people’s gifts but haven’t quite decided what to make for who yet. I need to get hopping on that! Thanks so much for the chance to win – this magazine looks fabulous!

  18. I’m making seasoned pecans for lots of friends this year and a little crocheted snowflake to decorate each jar of goodies. Would love the book.

  23. I’m working on 6 pairs of slippers, a coffee cozy, a kitchenaid mixer cover, a “death star”, and some coasters! Love creating!

  24. This year I’m making an infinity scarf for a friend. I haven’t started yet, but I should get it done in time!

  26. I love DIY gifts! I am making jewelry this year and my 8 yr old is sewing gifts for the first time!!!

  28. I’d love a copy! I’m working on a knitted lace shawl that I’m not sure if I am going to keep or gift…

  29. Ooh! I would love to win! I’m crafting cards for the holidays as well as making some ornaments with fabric and will crochet some too!

  30. I’ve finished 3 pairs of wrist warmers and I’m on the 8th (and most difficult I’ve ever made) hat. My hands will look like commas by the time I’m done! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this magazine. 🙂

  31. Still working on t-shirt quilt for my son, and a cross stitch project for my Mom. Thanks for another great giveaway.

  32. i am working on a cross stitched stocking, needlepoint sunglasses case, knit cowl, knit handmitts, knit baby pants, and a knit christmas pillow. Plenty of Christmas projects.

  34. I made leaf stamped stepping stones for my sisters and am going to make scented sugar scrubs for them as well. Also did some fall leaf “prints” for my sister to hang in her new home.

  35. Cowls, fingerless mitts and maybe even finish the scarf I’ve been knitting for myself… Just when one project is done, I find another one to make – sigh…

  37. No knitting for me this year because I am up to my ears in shrink film (shrinky dinks) snow flake jewelry and ornaments. I’m cutting each snow flake by hand and once they are baked I then use clear glitter nail polish to make them shine!

  38. I’m making a stuffed toy for my godson and have some handmade cards made for friends but I could really do with some more inspiration! This magazine would be perfect!!!

  39. I am trying to use up leftover yarn by making some fingerless gloves, scarves and coasters.
    I may make a Joseph afghan with all the small bits of different colors of yarn.

  40. I am trying to create a “bath mitt for gifts and also doing snowflakes crochet for my windows. Doing plastic canvas desk caddy, sewing country aprons for my friends and family.

  41. Hoping to make some little stocking stuffer gifts for my kids. No sew accesories for AG dolls, perler bead jewelery and ornaments.

  43. I am always making…whether things are ever done for Christmas, that’s another story. I never start early enough, like in January!

  44. I’m stamping my Christmas cards this year and also making some beaded jewelry gifts. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the new magazine!

  50. I have a few cross stitch ornaments waiting to be finished, then I hope to knit a coupe of cowls as presents!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.