Christmas Decorations - More Free Patterns

It seems likely that it is going to be very cold in Ireland this weekend and our friends in the USA are probably snowed in, so I thought some more Christmas knit and crochet patterns were in order.

As penguin's seem very popular this Christmas due the phenomenal success of department store John Lewis' Christmas advertisement about penguins falling in love (youtube #MontyThePenguin), I thought this was very apt.  The pattern is from Lion brand yarns and the link is here.  You do have to have a login to get access to patterns but it is free.

You can never have too many bears around the place, so this little fellow has to be included.  He is from Red Heart yarns and the pattern is here.

This very bright garland is also from Red Heart yarns and the pattern is here.  I am thinking this would make a good advent calendar.

This is one the children might like to try, the yarn is wrapped around some cardboard shapes.  It is from Lion Brand yarns and the instructions are here.

If you want something to keep you warm while you construct it, there are plenty of nice blanket/throw patterns out there to try, including this one from Red Heart yarns here.

Have fun with these.  Please come back again next week as I putting up posts on simple gifts you can make within a short amount of time.

Wednesday's Wishes - Christmas Gifts for Children

I love the idea of giving handmade items as gifts and so today am showcasing some delightful gifts for children.

These adorable dolls are from warmsugar on Etsy.  I love the fact that some of the clothes are made from recycled fabrics and they can be custom made as far as skin colour, hair colour, clothing colour etc.  I also like the fact that Shannon makes boy dolls. Worldwide shipping is available.

These gorgeous crochet elephants are from crafttalents on Etsy.  This little shop has beautiful work from several people, including fabric applique cushions, great wooden toys and other crochet animals.  Worldwide shipping is available.

This practical crayon notebook folder is from paperfromheaven on Etsy.  Kate has a multitude of other designs in her shop, in various sizes and styles to suit all ages.  There are also folders to contain drumsticks and make-up brushes. Worldwide shipping is available.

This cute crochet snowman is from ollebol on Etsy.  I thought it would be great in a "Frozen" style context.  Celine also has a great Peppa Pig and some beautiful Waldorf dolls and clothes in her shop.  Worldwide shipping is available.

This gorgeous owl is from karensagez on Etsy.  Karen has a lot of different owls in her shop, together with birds and racoons.  They are all brightly coloured and would look good in any room.  Worldwide shipping is available.

This beautiful mermaid Waldorf doll is from cleoandpoppy on Etsy.  She is made to order and the fabric etc are eco-friendly.  Eszter also makes other types of Waldorf dolls, bags and felt mini crowns.  Worldwide shipping is available.

I hope this has given you some good ideas for some beautiful handmade treasures to put under your Christmas tree.

Christmas Decorations - Crochet Free Patterns

This post is following on from this one, detailing some free patterns provided by some lovely crafters for us all to make and enjoy.  So here are some beautiful Christmas decorations that are crocheted.

This is a very useful Christmas star from Leonie at Woolnhook and the pattern is here.  I say useful, because I can see it being used for garlands and wreaths, as well as a hanging tree decoration.

This charming set of Christmas lights are from Dappertoad and the pattern is here.  You will need to be a craftsy.com member to download the pattern, but it is worth setting it up, just to get this pattern and it is free.

These super cute Christmas socks are from Angie at lemondedesucrette and the pattern is here.  There is an excellent step by step tutorial as well.  A great to use all your odd bits of yarn.  A great advent calendar idea too.

These realistic looking pinecones are from yarnfreak and the pattern is here.  I quite like the idea of doing pastel coloured ones for a modern wreath decoration.

These very pretty Christmas trees are from Annoocrochet and the pattern is here.  We probably won't have a Christmas tree this year, but I thought some of these on a bare branch would look festive.

Well I think this will give you all lots of inspiration and ideas, I know it has certainly got my mind spinning.

Christmas Decorations - Knit Free Patterns

I have been researching Christmas decoration patterns that would be relatively easy to do and not need much in the way of materials.  I will be doing a series of posts on different crafts and the first one is knitted Christmas decorations.

 This petite mitten ornament pattern is from Red Heart and the pattern is here.

These angelic mice are from Alan Dart and the pattern is here.

This really cute yarn basket ornament is from Red Heart and the pattern is here.  This one would make a perfect gift for a crafty friend.

These mini trees would be a great way to use up small amounts of yarn and are from Yarnspirations.  The pattern is here.

These gorgeous little stockings are from Little Cotton Rabbits and the pattern is here.  This type of thing is way beyond my knitting skills, but I am sure some of you could manage it?

These sheepy ornaments are from Creative Country Life and the pattern is here.

So go and get your needles and yarn bits and bobs and knit !

Wednesday's Wishes - Christmas Gifts - Jewelry

A girl can never have too much bling - so here are some great shops that sell beautiful handmade jewelry at very reasonable prices.

These gorgeous necklaces are available from lilabelledesign on Etsy.  Margo produces elegant simple pieces in sterling silver and gold fill with the glass in pretty colours.  She has over 300 pieces in her shop, including earrings, necklace, rings and bracelets.  Custom orders can be done and shipping is worldwide.

This cute eco friendly necklace is from onehappyleaf on Etsy.  Anna makes wooden laser-cut jewelry, including necklaces, brooches, earrings, hairpins and cuff links.  Each item is made to order and ships worldwide from Australia.

This beautiful necklace is from scrappincop on Etsy.  Deb makes necklace pendants from the best quality resin, to include tiny flowers and seeds, which I think makes them unique.  Custom orders can be accommodated and the items can be shipped worldwide.

This delicate bangle set is from frostedwillow on Etsy.  Katrin has a large selection of handmade bangle bracelets, including those personalised with names or initials.  These are so reasonable, that they can be stacked and collected. Custom orders can be accommodated and the items can be shipped worldwide.

I hope this has given you some good gift buying ideas.

Wednesday's Wishes - Gifts for Pets

With Winter approaching and the festive season nearly upon us, I thought it would be good to look at useful things you could buy for your beloved pets.

This is so cute, who would have ever thought that you could tortoise cozies in a wide variety of designs.  Well you can at Mossy Tortoise on Etsy.  Katie has over 30 different cozies from cheeseburgers to reindeer.  They can be custom made and she ships worldwide.

This nice warm dog coat is available from KozyCanines on Etsy.  Mary has 6 different sizes from teacup to large, as well as reflective coats and rain coats.  The coats are available in different fabrics and are preshrunk.  Mary does custom orders and ships worldwide.

If you have a cat and you want to keep it cozy, then you need one of these, from LoveCatCaves on Etsy.  Christine makes them from merino felt and  they are available in different sizes and colours.  Christine also makes mats and toys, does custom orders and ships worldwide.

Isn't this the coolest thing you have seen in a while?  This is one of a number of costumes available for hedgehogs and guinea pigs from ChubbyHedgehog on Etsy.  There are some great Christmas outfits and Kaylie does custom orders and ships worldwide.

 

Another thing you may require to keep your dog warm this winter, is a dog sweater or jumper.  These are available from MyFabulousPuppy on Etsy, together with dog coats, shirts and neckwarmers.  All these things are available in many different couture patterns and sizes.  Warren does custom orders and ships worldwide.

Well I hope this has given you some good ideas about what gifts you want to buy your pets.