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Gifted! Lovely Little Things To Knit and Crochet

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Gifted. Lovely Little Things To Knit and Crochet by Mags Kandis.

These are all, little things to give away, some more intense, some really easy.  Wearables such as hats, mittems, scarves, socks (cool socks!) and wraps. Home dec, including a tea cozy, pin cushion, needle case (sweet!), and laptop cover.

34 projects in all. There are several in this book that are already on my to do list, and they can be on yours too! The arm warmers are the 1st project I want to knit.

Along with all of the yummy knit, crochet and felted items are a few recipes sprinkled in. Like Tomato Jam. Can’t vouch for that one, I’ve never had it, but will definitely try it. Also vanilla sugar, mulling spice mix and ginger syrup. Yum!

This is the coolest book, and it can be yours next Friday, Aug 6, 2010.

Just leave me a comment! And good luck…. Ready… Set…. Go!!!

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Comments

  2. I have never been first to leave a comment… makes me feel like I am doing something wrong!

    This looks like an awesome book!

  5. oh my! I just literally got to peek through this book at our LYS this morning and loved it! Would so enjoy a copy, saw many little goodies i would love to make for gifts this holiday season.

  7. This looks very inspiring. Maybe this is why I keep buying yarns but have not decided what to make from them: I need this book….thanks for featuring it. I may have to go out and buy it

  16. Oh yes — I can see a place for this in our home…right in my knitting bag, nestled by fibers of many content.

  17. The teacozy and vanilla sugar would make a great hotess gift, throw in some teabags too. I want that book …

  20. One of my favorite things to do is make gifts for my family at Christmas and I am always looking for new patterns!

  21. Oh can I just say this looks like an awesome book.
    I know that I would enjoy making many of the items.

  22. I saw this book and wanted to get it! Not enough cashola yet but if I don’t win it will be mine!!
    Please enter me and wish everyone luck!

  25. I love the knitted hearts!!! I would love to make some for friends and maybe even knit a couple for my furry friends and fill with catnip!

  26. I love making simple gifts for family and friends. The featured gifts are darling.

  28. Handcrafting little things are cool because they result in instant gratification. What a great give-away!

  32. I’d love to win it! Looks really cool, I’d love to make some funky gloves!

    luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

  36. Gorgeous book…I need ideas for my wool sweater stash from second hand store, especially felting projects.

  37. This looks like a great book to inspire using up smaller amounts of yarn and putting together a nice little gift in little time. It has recipes too? Gotta be a win/win!! btw – tomato jam is good!!! Thanks for a chance to win.

  39. I am looking for an inspiration to get started again with crochet. My mind is almost willing but I need a jump-start.

  44. I love fingerless cloves. The pattern on the ones in the picture is really fun.

  45. Some people do have the gift to create the most beautiful things, like Mags Kandis… By seeing these projects I want to grab my knitting needles and welcome winter with a smile, while s(kn)itting next to a cosy fireplace…

    And “yes please” I would like to partissipade in the give away 😉

  48. Oh my oh my! This book sounds so wonderful! Perfect for a student looking for home-made gift ideas!! 🙂

  50. This is exactly the book I’ve been looking for… smaller projects that can be made in an evening or two, and get ahead on my Christmas list! Thank you for hosting this.

Have you read?

Book Review: No Fear Sock Knitting

I feel like when it comes to things that people are afraid to knit, socks probably top the list. I’ve heard people say they would never knit socks because they look too hard, but really you just need to know a few basic things (and trust the pattern even though it sounds wrong the first time you do it) to master socks. 

Denise DeSantis aims to take the worry out of knitting socks with No Fear Sock Knitting. Based on a class on her YouTube channel, it includes all the basic information you need to make sock knitting feel easier, along with eight patterns for both top down and toe up socks. 

The book generally covers types of needles and yarn you might use to knit socks, as well as other supplies you will need. It looks at the parts of the sock, different knitting needle configurations used to knit socks, how to read a pattern (including abbreviations and terms you might find in sock patterns), discussion of ease, how to measure your foot and choosing the correct size to knit.

It includes two options each for casting on cuff down and toe up socks, as well as four options for cuff treatment. It explores the heel flap and turn method for top down and toe up socks, as well as short row heels using a shadow wrap (worked with a leg from the stitch below) and a square heel. There’s a discussion of avoiding holes and fixing other problems in heels.

Likewise with toes there are several options, including a wedge toe, round toe and anatomical toe (different on each foot) for both cuff down and toe up socks. There are also tutorials for grafting and Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off, depending on which direction you’re going. There’s also a tips section that covers things like avoiding ladders, changing colors. matching stripes and more. 

After all that preparation, there are eight patterns to choose from: short socks worked from the top down that are a perfect first-sock sock, a basic ankle-length toe-up sock, a DK weight sock worked from the top down with different length options, a “vanilla” sock with a short row heel worked top down, an ankle sock with a garter stitch cuff, one with a leg worked in alternating colors with a contrasting heel and toe, a sock worked in a helical stripe pattern and a striped sock with a garter stitch heel. 

Three of the patterns are rated at skill level two on a scale of three, while the rest are level one. They’re all pretty straightforward, they just use different techniques you might not have tried before. Since only one is made to be toe up, there are also tips for converting the other patterns to toe up if you’d rather work that way. Each pattern includes three size options. 

This book is a nice introduction to sock knitting, with lots of techniques to reference and simple patterns to take the fear out of the process. I’m not sure these are patterns you’ll come back to time and again but they are a good place to start if you’ve never knit socks before. 

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 8 patterns. Published 2025 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.