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

  1. Working on infinity scarfs, both sewing & crocheting! Making purses and quilting several pieces! I enjoy many different crafts!

  4. Right now I’m setting up my “new” craft room so that I can delve into projects I’ve been saving up to do in my new space!

  5. I am making lots and lots of Christmas gifts! Just finished placemats, working on mug rugs, a baby blanket, pot holders, doll clothes and a soft game board. Oh, and Christmas stockings!

  9. I love to knit and crochet and am gearing up for the frenzy of pre-holiday gift making. Thanks for the chance!

  11. i started a knitting group last month and everyone is working hard making gifts for the holiday.

  13. Completinga few more fabric scissors sheaths
    And finish the baby blanket this weekend. Then on to the baby dolls!

  14. I am currently working on a Christmas tree skirt for my son. It’s his second one since his ex-girlfriend walked off with the first one. I guess she liked it too!

  18. Hi! I make all my greeting cards, which keeps me busy. As well, this year, I am trying my hand at making penny rugs.

  21. I am trying to knit my husband a sweater for Christmas. This mag looks fabulous! Keeping my fingers crossed that I win a copy.

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.