A Handmade Christmas Season

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I feel each year just goes faster and faster with no time to slow down- except, of course, when you're knitting while binge-watching the newest Netflix show.

This fall I have been working on (and plan to start...) several handmade gifts for Christmas and babies entering the world this coming winter. Every year, I try to give friends and family handmade, DIY gifts, which often end up being knitted. Cowls and earwarmers, baby snugglers and blankets are all things that knit up quickly and make very practical gifts.

In recent years, I have knitted all my sisters the Bubblegum cowl from FiberFlux, as well as a braided knit headband from Owls Wake Up blog. Both are free patterns that I discovered on Pintrest.

The Bubblegum cowl uses chunky yarn on large needles to make a very soft, quick knit accessory. For people who may be new to knitting (which I was when I first made this pattern), it is a great introduction to following a pattern and working on knit/purl stitches. And for those of you experienced knitters, this is a quick project that can easily be done in an evening- even for slow knitters like me!

The braided headband was how I learned to do the cable stitch- and to be honest, it is the only cable knit stitch pattern I've done so far! I was a bit nervous to start, but because cable is all you have to worry about for this pattern, it is easy to follow and great for those wanting to learn cables. When chunky yarn is used, this is also a very quick-to-knit pattern that is soft and warm.

Image from owlswakeup

Both of these patterns make warm, attractive accessories to give to family and friends. Those who I've made them for wear them regularly throughout the winter months!

Interested in these patterns, but don't know what type of yarn to try? I suggest you try some of my Orchard View worsted Lincoln Longwool yarn for a warm, durable winter accessory! Available in both natural colored (gray) and white, this yarn will meet all your winter knitting and gift-giving needs.