Turkey Coma Remedy

We have now entered... the *holiday zone*.... do-do, do-do, do-do, do-do

Thanksgiving Day has passed and while we're still basking in the warm fuzzy glow of feeling so loved we're thinking ahead to what to do for those loved ones for the holidays. What do you pick? Something sturdy and useful? Something beautiful and delicate? Something funny and off-the wall? Here are a few ideas to inspire you!

Just for fun - if you click on the ravelry link for these patterns, you can find photos of everyone else's projects! click on the "projects" tab at the top of the pattern listing

A starry crocheted scarf designed by Kristen TenDyke

Princess Star Motif Scarf
ravelry link
Make this one in Classic Elite Summer Set

A slouchy knit beret designed by Melissa LaBarre

A Slouch For All Seasons
ravelry link
Make this one in Classic Elite Classic Silk

A slightly-more-than-basic scarf from Berroco

Almost Garter Scarf
ravelry link
Make this one in Ultra Alpaca Light

A crocheted apple cozy or coffee mug cozy

designed by Teresa Grant (pdf downloads for $3.50)
Adorable Apple Cozy
ravelry link
Mighty Mug Cozy
ravelry link
make these in Plymouth Fantasy Naturale

A simple lace pattern, zig-zag scarf from Veronik Avery

Lace Ribbon Scarf
ravelry link
Make this one in Classic Elite Alpaca Sox

An easy pincushion, straight from your mother's sewing basket

Knitted Pin Cushion
ravelry link
Make this one in Plymouth Galway

An easy, garter stitch baby sweater from Berroco

Pie Baby Set
ravelry link
Make this one in Berroco Pure Merino

Knitted yoga socks from Plymouth

Yoga Socks
ravelry link
Make this one in Plymouth Oceanside Organic

Drawstring bags from Plymouth

Bags in 2 sizes
ravelry link
Make this one in Plymouth Mulberry Merino

Crocheted aran tote bag designed by Celeste Young

Bobbling Along Aran Tote
ravelry link
Make this one in Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Silly stuff!

Knitted Spam - Ravelry link only
Knitted Dalek - Extermiknit!
Crocheted Mario Mushrooms - Mario Brothers Mushrooms
Knitted Lobster - Toy Lobster Pattern

Softy Dog Bone Toy - Fetch!
Catnip Bunny Toy - Ravelry Link

There's something out there for everyone on your list! What fun patterns have you found?

Not So Itty-Bitty

How about some not-so-itty-bitty projects? I get to talk to a lot of people and hear what they're making as presents for others. Here are some shop favorites, to give you some ideas for something just a bit different. If you've been in the shop recently, you may already know these well!

The Baby Alpaca Grande Vest/Shrug - a Plymouth Yarn Company Leaflet

So infamous here at Sage we've memorized the pattern number and reorder it at every opportunity! Though this one looks fancy when finished, it is actually just knitted rectangle that is sewn together into a semi-circular shrug. Baby Alpaca Grande comes in solids, tweeds and paints.

Tunisian Crochet Entrelac Hat - designed by Josh McKiernan

I'm halfway through my hat from the class we had last weekend. It's so much fun! And it's working up faster than a knit hat, for sure. I also want to use the same pattern to make a circular bag in some crazy colors. Josh's written pattern can be accessed via ravelry. You can use a variety of yarns for this one; it calls for light fingering but I'm using a worsted (Ultra Alpaca).

Nimbus - designed by the Berroco Design team

This is really a perfect sweater. It is fashion-forward without being too weird or crazy. It is knit in a bulky but light wool (Peruvia Quick) that holds up to wear and looks beautiful. You get to pick one awesome button to showcase. And the pattern is FREE! I have knit 4 of them so far.

City Girl Cap - designed by Celeste Young

When I first met Celeste and she told me she had designed this hat I was SO impressed! It's very stylish and cozy and works up really quickly. As with any other top-down hat, you can adjust size as you go for a perfect fit. I made this one up in Encore Tweed, but any other worsted weight yarn would be wonderful (Galway Worsted, Ultra Alpaca, Comfort Worsted, etc.). She also has a wonderful tote bag pattern that is next on my crochet list. Both patterns are available for free as Ravelry downloads.

Knitted Bunny Toy - a Plymouth Yarn Company leaflet

This little bunny has been hopping around the store for a year now. We've made it in all different yarns - some practical yarn for little kids and some fun yarn for friends. This is the perfect project for those times when you don't have enough time to knit a blanket and aren't sure what size sweater to make! These two buns were made by Carol using Comfort worsted.

Remember to have FUN! Let me know if you have any questions - info@sageyarn.com, or 508-457-9513

Itty Bitty Holiday Projects

Starting tonight we're adding a Friday night knit/crochet night to the line up! I decided to call it "Itty Bitty Holiday Projects" in an effort to keep us motivated to keep working on those projects that just *need* to get done. So from 5:30-7:30 we'll be cozied up in the Sage Yarn classroom, working away on whatever we need to work on.

To get into the spirit this year we Sage kids are making lots of "mini" things... starting with these!

Mini Mittens

This clever mini mitten is a free pattern from the people at WEBS in promotion of their Valley Yarns. I used scraps of Encore DK from the leftovers pile and size 6 needles.

I picture these little mittens decorating a wreath or tree, or attached with a bow to a present or tied around a gift card. They also seem just the right size for an American Girl Doll's hands ;)
I found this pattern by searching ravelry's patterns for "ornament" - here is the ravelry entry for the pattern. You can find all sorts of mini things using the pattern search. Here, I found you some mini ice skates!These are crocheted using just bits of scrap yarn, over a metal paperclip. SO fun!

Making your list

As we hit November and get closer to the holidays it seems that we yarn lovers start making lists in our heads. We have a mental inventory of who we've made stuff for and who we've missed... how much yarn we have at home and what needles or hooks match them. I make lists like crazy! Sometimes, even the act of making the list gets all of the clutter out of my brain and lets me relax and focus.

Given my own preference for lists, I encourage you to make some lists of our own. Clear out your head! Prioritize! Things will seem less overwhelming and you get the satisfaction of crossing things off every time something is completed.

My list of lists:
small projects - gift tags, ornaments, flower pins, gift card holders, potholder, dishcloth, etc.
medium projects - fingerless gloves, cowls, hats, slippers, legwarmers, scarves, shawls, etc.
large projects - sweaters, shawls, blankets, socks, etc.
people - I list people on the left and a handful of possible projects for each on the right

When thinking about your handmade holiday gifts make sure you include yourself in the equation! Don't just think about what yarn, pattern you need but also ask yourself, "How much am I going to enjoy making this?" Is it worth it to you, to spend your valuable time working on a project you hate to get an end result that you love? Do you want to spend all of your time making one big thing or a split up your time across a dozen little things? Will this person appreciate the time I put into this gift? How upset will I be if the recipient doesn't like my gift? Will I love the meditative act of making the same thing over and over for everyone or will I be crazy-bored?

By considering these things before you even start you will be setting yourself up for a more enjoyable time working on your projects! The answers to these questions are personal and everyone you meet will have a different take on what they want to do. Stick to what is best for you and don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you choose - you're the designer of your happy holiday season!

You'll see many links to the projects that have caught my eye in the next few weeks. I wish I had time to make them all! I will live vicariously through you and the fun things that you make. (I anticipate a lot of my links will be to ravelry listings - if you're not already signed up for ravelry, it's a great resource for all yarn lovers.)

See you soon!

Jen