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Giveaway: First Frost

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first frost giveawayThis book has a strange title for one being given away in the middle of winter, but Lucinda Guy’s First Frost is full of fun projects to get you and yours through the frosty months.

It’s full of patterns inspired by the folk traditions of Scandinavia and the Nordic and Baltic countries and includes socks, gloves and mitts, tops, cushions, scarves, hats, a toy squirrel and a lovely project bag (which is actually one of my favorite projects in the book).

If you’d like a chance to win my copy, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 8. For a change why don’t you tell me your favorite thing about winter, since so many of us are complaining about it by now.

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

Comments

  2. Living in NC, I love seeing my daffodils poke their heads up through the fall leaves. Sorry, but it’s 60 degrees here today… And I don’t miss shoveling snow!

  3. My favorite thing about winter is when snow falls. It looks so peaceful and pretty. As long as I don’t have to drive in it, that is!

  5. My favorite thing about winter is how the freshly fallen snow will glisten like diamonds. Looks so pretty that I won’t even walk in certain places so the view isn’t destroyed by bootprints. I like sled riding too!!

  6. Favorite thing about winter…the combination of the steam from hot cocoa, the smell & warmth from a fire, combined with the crisp cool air drawn in with the cocooning texture of blanketing and a project splayed across my lap!

  7. Ground Hogs Day is come and gone, six more weeks of snow to come. New inspiration would be wonderful!

  8. I love sitting in my recliner by the picture window watching the snow fall or the birds in the trees. I sit all warm as I knit or cross stitch.

  9. My favorite thing about winter is the snow. I am still hoping to get some snow; we haven’t had any yet this season. So disappointing! 🙁

  10. My favorite thing about winter is curling up with a good book in front of an electric fire during a blizzard, knowing I won’t have to leave home for a few days!

  11. My favorite thing about winter is that it KILLS the bugs. I enjoy the pretty sparkle of new snow, the cozy feeling you get when you snuggle under an afghan with hot chocolate and watch the weather outside your warm room and the chance to concentrate on inward things, but the real joy in winter is the lack of the bugs.

  12. My favorite thing about with is sitting by a roaring fire with yarn and needles and not having to go outside. As I look at the blizzard happening outside my window… 🙂

  13. My favorite thing about winter is that the days kind of blur together and my nesting instinct goes into overdrive. That’s when I tend to redecorate, knit things for the home, and buy my wool for spring things.

  16. My favorite thing about winter is how quiet it is early in the morning after a snowfall.

  17. My favorite thing about winter is boots & lots of knitwear. I’m in northern California so, for the most part, our winters are not extreme. Not much snow so far this year.

  18. My favorite thing about winter is that I get to wear the beautiful cowls, scarves and mitts I’ve made! Now I’m working on some sweaters. Since I moved from Georgia to northern Minnesota – I’m going to need them. It was VERY cold last year here, not so much this year though.

  19. One of the things I love about winter is Snow days off from work. I always cook something special that I usually don’t have time to make and sit and knit every time I take a little brea. Actually doing that today as we woke up to 14″ of snow this morning.

  20. I live in New England, and even though I am not eager to shovel any more snow, I do love winter, especially the sunny, cold days. And I love a winter walk at dusk.

  22. Oh, goodness, there’s not much I like about winter now that I’m living in the frigid North! The best I can say is that the beginning of winter has some awesome holidays… 🙂

  23. I love snuggling up in my chair with a book, a blanket, and a cup of hot tea when it’s really cold and windy out.

  26. I love the cooler temperatures, not necessarily the snow and ice, but just having it cool enough to wear sweaters and socks without getting all sweaty! 🙂

  30. I live in Southern California so my favorite thing about winter is the rain. Just wish we got more of it. It would be nice to have a real thunder storm again too!

  31. Hi Sarah! I actually love winter as long as it’s not too cold 🙂 I like a little brisk cold that allows you to snuggle up under warm (knitted) layers.

    This books looks amazing. Thanks for another wonderful giveaway!!

  32. I don’t get snow where I live, but I love the crisp, clean, cold air. It feels good in my lungs!

  34. Ilike when you wake up to a fresh fallen snow without any tracks in it. It looks so soft and fluffy.

  36. I LOVE winter. 1st, it isn’t hot & humid summer. Then, sweaters!!! hot beverages, snuggling on the couch… Winter!!!!!!! Yessssssssssss!!

  37. I love being warm and cozy inside, knitting with a cat on my lap and a cup of tea while the snow falls. And best ever is a snow day from work, which we got yesterday. Nice.
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

  38. Unfortunately we have not had enough winter here in California. But I am a sweatshirt/sweater girl, so I love being able to wear my favorites. And someday soon I will make a sweater 🙂

  39. I love how much fun my boys have in winter. The are definitely true swiss Canadian boys, loving anything to do with snow.

  41. I love snow and was sad that in my area we did not get our usual snow fall. Snow, winter, I want to knit, crochet, cook

  43. My favorite thing about winter is staying in the house in front of the fire! I am NOT fond of the cold 🙂

  45. who doesn’t love that diamond glitter that crisp snow gets under a full moon? Love winter and Ontario.

  46. My favorite thing about winter is… that it’s COLD!! It doesn’t bother me, if I’m wrapped up (and knitting indoors:). Thanks for the giveaway!

  47. I never get tired of watching the snow fall… from the comfort of my sofa under my favorite knitted afghan, of course!

  48. I actually like (I won’t go so far as to say love…) when the temperature dips. That’s when I can wear my hand knits without fear of overheating. So in the winter, I don’t feel guilty about having so many scarves, and hats, and mittens…

  49. One of my favorite things about winter is how it makes my normally stand-offish cat very cuddly!

    thanks for the giveaway!

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.