Guest Post: Stefanie of Handmade by Stefanie

Today marks the half-way mark through NaBloPoMo and I’m going strong! Mostly thanks to the efforts of some of my bloggy friends and their guest posts. This week in particular has been full of guest posts and today is another one! I’m not actually that lazy, I just let people choose general dates for their posts and this is how it played out. You’ll be stuck with me for the next few days at least!

Today’s guest post comes from Stefanie at Handmade by Stefanie. She has a slew of great ideas for gift crafting, for knitters and crocheters alike! Be sure to check out her new pattern, Lettuce Lattice, as well.

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The Mad Dash for Holiday Crafts!

If you’re like me, you have the best of intentions to start your holiday gift knitting, crocheting or shopping early. Unfortunately, life often has other plans, be it a year-long case of startitis, a much-needed indulgence in selfish knitting, or just a hectic work schedule and social life. Thankfully, there are a host of easy-to-make patterns to whip up quickly as the holiday countdown begins. This year, I’m excited to put my new-found crochet skills to work, since I’ve now reached the point in my skills where I can crochet just as quickly as I knit! Below are plenty of projects for crafters of all persuasions. Let the countdown begin!

Toys
What do you get the person who has everything? For me, the answer is often a cute little stuffie in their favorite color! My go-to patterns which can be made in 1-2 days’ time include several Rebecca Danger patterns (Maddox the Mischievous Monster, Chubby Chirps, and Penelope the Empathetic Monster all top my list), Stacey Trock’s crocheted Amigurumi Blue Bird, and my own design, Button Bunnies.

Not sure if your recipient will like a toy? Make them a Sweet Little Owlet keychain – you know they’ll put it to good use!

Small Accessories
Hats, cowls and wristwarmers are gifts that are always appreciated. No need to do any fancy stitchery – usually the simplest pattern is the one that gets the most comments (go figure!). Veera Välimäki’s Little Things hat knits up quickly, even though the pattern calls for fingering-weight yarn – plus, it’s available as a free Ravelry download!

Breean Miller’s Indigo Swan Cowl uses bulky-weight yarn to knit a cowl that is as beautiful as it is warm. Crocheters of all skill levels will love the way Shireen Nadir’s The Mushin Cowl looks when crocheted with a hand-dyed yarn (you only need to know single crochet and double crochet to complete this easy project).

Looking to destash? Elizabeth Trantham’s free Colorful Stripey Fingerless Mitts pattern crochets up quickly using whatever yarns you happen to have on hand. I’m also partial to the Purl Bee’s Colorblock Handwarmers, a free knitting pattern on the Purl Soho blog.

Baby
It seems like everyone I know is expecting a baby in 2013! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my pre-ordered copy of Rebecca Danger’s Knit a Monster Nursery, which came out just last week. To tide me over, I’ve been working on a quick-knitting baby blanket with one of my favorite yarns, Malabrigo Rios. I just released the pattern, Lettuce Lattice, earlier this week, in fact! This project took just over a month to complete – for a baby blanket, I think that’s relatively quick! It’s pictured with Mr. Nubbins, an easy-to-make toy pattern knit with Malabrigo Rios.

Household
This year, my-go to stocking stuffer (provided I don’t run out of knitting hours, of course!) will be some fancy tea wrapped in a Tea Toter, a free pattern by Julie Tarsha. Coasters, potholders, or place mats are also can’t-miss: there are tons of free patterns to knit or crochet in designs ranging from simple (the Grit Stitch Placemat and Coaster Set by Cult of Crochet) to complex (Heather Zoppetti’s double-knit TPHPE coasters) and even silly (such as the Gobble Coaster and Walk on the Beach Coaster—both crochet patterns are designed by Amber Jones).

Have you started your holiday crafting? Are you crafting gifts this year?