YarnCraft Episode 46 :: Get a Jump on Holiday Gift-Making

28 Jul

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On this episode of YarnCraft, Liz & Zontee encourage you to get an early start on your holiday gift-making, so that come December, you’ll be ready to go and relaxed, instead of scrambling to make gift deadlines (like two certain podcast hosts). Find out about some of the great new patterns that are available for the holidays, as well as gift ideas for everyone from your friends and family to co-workers and teachers.

We also introduce one of Lion Brand’s newest yarns, Holiday Homespun, designed in reds, greens, multis, and white, all with a gold metallic wrap — especially with the holiday season in mind.

Patterns discussed include:

Afghans

Sweaters

Bags

Scarves

Socks

Hats

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call us and leave a message at 774-452-YARN–that’s 774-452-9276. In two weeks, join us for another episode of YarnCraft, when we’ll be talking about yarncrafting for traveling, creating a yarncrafting staycation, and sharing fun stories. What do you do to relax with your yarncrafting? Let us know! Share your thoughts and you may be included in our next episode!

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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
01:19 – Hooks and Needles
03:31 – Planning for holiday crafting
07:00 – Introducing Holiday Homespun
10:41 – Gift Ideas
19:54 – Outro

  • Linda Nelson

    Hi Liz and Zontee,

    This is Linda from Stoughton Massachusetts (a suburb of the great city of Boston Massachusetts). I live in the burbs but commute to the city (yarn crafting on the subway and the commuter rail every week day).

    I want to start out by saying that I love your podcast and get lots of inspiration from just listening. In addition, I’m learning tons. Thanks for a great show to look forward to each week.

    I’ve been crocheting for fourteen years and knitting on a flatbed machine for about seven years. Machine knitting is great for Christmas in July projects because of the speed it provides in completing all those projects. This is a great advantage when time is so spare…Christmas time or not. Despite what many people believe, machine knitting is not cheating, it’s just faster because of the number of needles that you’re using at one time. There’s still plenty of manual work to be done, and since knitting loves crochet, I’m able to finish my work with crochet (and vice versa).

    Along with all the socks (knitting machines make gorgeous socks), afghans, shawls, mittens and hats that I’ve been making for gifts, I’ll be finishing my machine knitted Christmas sofa cushion covers, adding crocheted poinsettias and other holiday accents to them. I’ll also be knitting and felting some Christmas placemats for my dining room table. I believe that little touches like this make for tasteful décor at Christmas time and all year round.

    The patterns on the Lion Brand site are amazing and wonderful, and I do create my own knitting machine patterns based on what I see, but I do have one question: Will new machine knitting patterns be added to the site soon?

    Take care and keep up the great work on the podcast,

    Linda Nelson

  • Grace

    I spotted those luscious lounge socks right away and I’m about to kitchener the toe of my first one. This is the kind of gift knitting that I can handle: fast, fun, pretty and soft. I’m hoping to make a few pairs for holiday gifts.

    In the interest of my holiday budget I am substituting Superwash Merino (in Spring Leaf) for the Cashmere and I have to say, pairing sock ease with a solid makes a squishy, pretty, heathered knit fabric. It’s a really nice combination.

  • Johanna

    This episode was perfectly timed! I just cast on the first Christmas project the day before this episode came out. It’s a pair of socks for a friend, and I love them! I’m totally addicted to socks, which is good, since they are a reasonable sized gift. I, too, am determined to get a head start this year!

    Thanks for doing this great podcast, episode after episode.

  • Tammy

    Liz and Zontee:
    Thank you for the “kick in the pants” to get started planning for the holidays. I, too, spend my Decembers sleep deprived, trying to finish all my projects. All your ideas and suggestions are great!
    Tammy