YarnCraft Episode 30 :: Quick Last Minute Gifts, De-Stressing for Yarncrafters, and More

2 Dec

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SnowmanThe holidays are almost upon us, so it’s time to get going on those last minute projects! In this episode, Liz and Zontee share their tips for quick crafting, including quick-working yarns like Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and Sasha, as well as plenty of fast finish gift ideas including striped scarves like the Town and Country Scarf. We’re also joined by Cat, host of the popular video podcast Let’s Knit2gether, who tells us about how she started podcasting and about her holiday experiences with handmade gifts.

Liz and Zontee also suggest thoughtful presents for fellow yarncrafters, including books like Vintage Styles for Today, a ball winder and yarn swift, the Needle Master and Crochet Hook Master, a great tote bag for your projects, and even making a personalized “crafting music mix.”

Patterns discussed include:

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life–Liz and Zontee share ideas for relaxing while crafting. Find out more about some techniques to unwind from the stress of the upcoming holiday season. We’ve even included some calming music at the end of the show to help you de-stress. Music is “Winter Wildflowers” by Jack Erdie, from the Podsafe Music Network.

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com! Our next episode will be about New Year’s resolutions, new skills, and new ways of meeting yarncrafters. Do you have a yarncrafting resolution? Tell us about it, and you may be included in our next show!

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Theme music is “Boy with a Coin” by Iron and Wine, from the PodSafe Music Network.

Show Notes:
00:12 Intro and welcome
01:45 What’s on Liz & Zontee’s hooks & needles?
04:42 Last minute gifts
14:48 Interview with Cat, of Let’s Knit2Gether
22:33 Gift ideas for yarncrafters
26:48 Stash This
33:37 Thanks to our guests

  • Harriett

    I love this podcast, everything about it. Of course Christmas is my favorite time of year. I hate to see it go, and would like it if we could celebrate all year long. I especially like the suggestions about the relaxing music. Right now since it’s Christmas time I listen to Christmas music while I crochet or I would look at a Christmas movie while crocheting.

    The projects I’m working on now are small projects that you actually named. I’m working on a table placemat, washcloths, and small lap throws.

    My New Year Resolutions is for me to finish one project up first, before I start on a new one and I will attempt to for the first time, crochet me a ripple afghan. I hope I can follow it through.

    Thanks girls for another great podcast. Happy Holidays :) .

  • Val

    This was an interesting podcast. This has been the first year that I am slightly ahead of my craft gifts. I am actually finishing up the ruffle scarf to give away as a gift. I may make another ruffle scarf with a hat, dishcloths and washcloths to also give away as gift.

    Thank you for the last minute ideas.

  • http://www.wordsofshannyn.blogspot.com Shannyn

    This is one of my favorite podcasts! I do have to say though- you give me more ideas than I can ideally craft! I did though, get inspired just like last year, to whip up a last minute gift.

    This time last year, you talked in the Podcast about a Prayer Shawl. My gram and I had lived together for many years, she was like a mom to me. I was secretly worried that it would be her last Christmas with me and wanted to make her something from my heart. She was 89 years old, and at the time seemed to be doing pretty well, but after hearing about your pattern for a snuggly Prayer Shawl, I knew that would be perfect!

    I secretly knitted for the week before Christmas. I gave her a Prayer Shawl on Christmas morning, made out of Homespun yarn in Sierra. Needless to say, she LOVED IT! Infact, I had to take her to ER the next day for a bad earache, and all the nurses ooh-ed and ahh-ed over it. Of course, she gushed on how I made it for her!

    Well, Gram passed away in August this year. I now have the shawl draped over a chair in my bedroom, and I will always remember our Christmas together, and thank everyone at Lion Brand for inspiring me to make her that very special gift, that still brings me joy and peace a year later. It was the most memorable gift I’ve ever given, and I thank you all for helping me create that special Christmas memory with my dear Gram.

    I suppose that is the best way I can say thank you? Your podcast helped create a memory in my family that I will always treasure. As I crochet an afghan for my dad this year, the tradition of heartfelt gifts continues, thanks ladies!

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  • Lori

    I was listening to your podcast today while I was knitting, and I was de-stressing by taking a “day off” from gift-making by working on a sweater I had started for myself earlier. I love being able to give hand made gifts (I’m mostly doing fingerless mitts, but will probably do some dishcloths also), but I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by it. It probably didn’t help me meet the deadline (“C-day,” LOL!) but I feel refreshed and renewed by taking a day away from it to knit something I find to be more “fun.”

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