Handmade Holiday Gift Recap

We all do it.  Sometime in the summer we declare:  “I am going to make all my Christmas gifts this year!”

I think we all know how this sad story usually turns out.  However, Brandy and I did pull it together in the very end, and I am proud to present to you…

The Festival of Handmade and Somewhat Appreciated Gifts!  

I can tell you that the first item, a fantastic crocheted Hello Kitty scarf for my sister, wins, hands down.  Theresa, my sister, loves Hello Kitty.  She is also a FANATICAL University of Washington sports fan (hence the purple and gold).  I really thought she was going to cry when she opened this up.  Made by Brandy, with her mad crochet skillz, of course.  Hello Kitty diagram can be found here.

(She’s sporting some toasty fingerless gloves I made as well…)

Continuing on the University of Washington theme, I made my sis a striped phone cozy, and a warm and a toasty basket weave border hat.  I wrote the pattern down somewhere for the hat, if you are interested let me know.  I held two strands together for both the cuff and the body of the hat.

I slaved over this slouchy beanie concoction from Caron for Brandy.  I used Lion Brand Amazing yarn in Pink Sands.  This was a nail biter, down to the wire.  But it turned out really cute and she loves it! (at least she says she does!)

Brandy came up with a great idea for two of her male friends who are from Viking heritage.  She found this awesome pattern and knocked out these two crocheted Viking Hats.

Brandy made me the most beautiful ripple patterned crochet cowl!  I have worn it pretty much every day.  I have asked her to make me another one immediately!  🙂  I forgot to take a photo of it – my bad!

We also made a slew of other items – see the photo montage below – crocheted cowls, knit beanies, bow headbands, and more.

Now that the holidays are over, it’s back to knitting and crocheting for ourselves – Brandy is working on a bobble bunny hat.  She is now talking about bobbles non-stop.   I finally finished my Twinkle Printmaker’s Pullover, which I had mentioned awhile back.   It looks great on my dress form, but I haven’t gotten around to wearing it yet.  And I just started designing a dress/tunic inspired by the shape of this Pinterest find.  I am doing a top down, circular construction.

So for all you gift knitters and crocheters, our hats (no pun intented) are off to you!  Did you finish in time?  What is your next craft adventure?

Until next time!

M and B

Read Full Post »

Holiday Trend Forcast: The Ugly Sweater (Party)

There is so much fugly great Christmas sweater inspiration out there it was hard to decide on just one to focus on for color and trend inspiration. Much like my research on the Cosby Sweater, the more I dug into the history of the Ugly Christmas Sweater the more I became lost in a sea of images, blogs and books paying tribute to this fashion atrocity. The growing trend during this holiday time is to have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party (Google it, I promise you won’t be disappointed). There’s even a trio of dudes calling themselves “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Team Ugly for short) who literally wrote the book on it. It looks like so much fun that Mary and I have decided next year we are hosting one of these parties!

image via Google search (can’t find source)

The first collection is by far the most popular choice when choosing to “don your gay apparel”. Bright color, crazy images and the more appliques and Bedazzled goodness the better. You wear one of these fine specimens you are sure to be the ugliest belle at the ball!

1) BROOKLYN : 100% superwash merino worsted / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

2) GOLD : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

3) FLECKY SWEATER YARN : recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / SmartMonkey via Etsy

4) CHRISTMAS TREE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

5) CHRISTMAS GREEN : 100% Peruvian highland wool / via Purl Soho

image via Google (again not sure of the source)

The second collection is inspired by those that choose to attend an Ugly Sweater Party with no intention on actually participating BUT the price of admission is one Christmas sweater SO these party goers cheat the system by wearing a traditional and now chic holiday sweater. (aka killjoys)

1) NATURAL : 100% pure virgin wool / Fisherman’s Wool via Lion Brand Yarns

2) CANDY CANE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

3) STERLING : acrylic & polyester blend with sequins / Sequin via Bernat Yarns

4) DEEP SEA : 100% acrylic / Vanna’s Colors via Lion Brand Yarns

5) MIDNIGHT HEATHER : 100% pure new wool / via Purl Soho

image via Craft Stylish • click the photo for upcycled dog sweater pattern

The third collection is what you do after the party… after your hangover is cured and you realize you are now the proud owner of an Ugly Christmas Sweater. Some hipsters may continue to wear it into the new year (making others scratch their heads) but you know better and it’s either figure out something to do with it or it’s off to the Good Will.

1) HOLIDAY YARN : 100% merino wool with beads – art yarn / Wool Wench via Etsy

2) ECRU : 80% wool & 20% silk / Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool XL via Webs

3) TOPAZ : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

4) ESTES : superwash merino, cashmere & nylon / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

5) GREEN : 100% cashmere recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / Sentimental Valu via Etsy

Matt Damon via The Today Show (check out more fun celebs & their sweaters here)

Happy Holidays from Rewind Knits & Crochet. Mary and I will be “away” for the rest of the year, busy cranking out our Christmas presents! After the first of the year we’ll be posting all about our handmade holiday gifts along with a giveaway of a Eugenie prize pack.

Read Full Post »

3 New Patterns… and… It’s Here! Crocheted Version of the Center Row Lace Headband / Neck Warmer! AKA PATTERN-PALOOZA!!

After many requests, we have finally perfected and patterned up a crochet version of our most popular pattern, the Center Row Lace Headband / Neck Warmer.  The dimensions of the finished product are very close to the knit version, and the look is almost identical.  I hope that you crocheters out there are happy with the results.  This pattern comes out just in time to stylishly fight off that winter weather!

We’ve also been hard at work creating the patterns featured in our last post!

Read Full Post »

Winner! Winner!

Thanks to those of you who participated in our 100,000 Views Giveaway!  And our winner is… comment #14 who is Lizz, who is new to the wonders of crochet – what a great way to keep her going (and to start her yarn stash!).  Congrats Lizz, your items will be coming directly from Lion Brand.

Read Full Post »

100,000 Views Giveaway – Sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn!

Our friends over at Lion Brand Yarn, who have recently discovered that we have a stalking issue passion for all things Vanna, have generously offered to sponsor a giveaway in honor of our 100,000th blog view which was on 8/24!

You can win two skeins of Vanna’s new Colors yarn  http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/vannascolors.html , and a Lion Brand tote bag!  All that you need to do is comment on this post within the next two weeks and let us know what project you might make if you won!  Winner will drawn at random.

Don’t forget to check out Lion Brand on Facebook too,  www.Facebook.com/LionBrandYarns.

Cheers,

M&B

Read Full Post »

She’s done it again…

Who? Vanna White of course!! Anyone who’s been following our little blog for a while knows we are partial to Lion Brand Vanna’s yarns. The silky acrylic yarn is affordable luxury – we don’t feel guilty filling up our baskets at our local yarn shop OR frogging a project that doesn’t go according to plan. That paired with trend forward colors that mix and match so well, has us on the brink of being on an episode of Hoarders.

We are excited to get our hands on the newest collection, “Vanna Colors“. According to the Lion Brand site each yarn features “a unique painterly effect that creates subtle, sophisticated color changes. Its bulky weight makes it a breeze to create fast-finish afghans, home décor, and accessories.” The painterly effect looks a bit like a tweed, we’re sure the photos don’t do this yarn justice.

We’ve been waiting for a bulky yarn from her and we hope there is more to come!!

Read Full Post »

Trend Forecast : The 1970’s

This trend is close to Mary and I’s heart – WE LOVE THE 70’s. From the colors to patterns (knit, crochet & sewing) to the fabric to the decor… it’s all fantastic. We were excited to see it emerge on the fashion runways last fall and it’s gaining momentum. From the high end designers like Tom Ford to mass retailers like Urban Outfitters Mary and I are able to get our far-out fix. What I find particularly exciting about this trend — close your ears knitters! — the focus is towards crochet and …gasp… macrame! And while the world continues to remain eco focused this trend is making taboo materials such as fur, feathers and leather acceptable in small doses. Also thanks to technology faux furs have come a long way baby and are much more realistic. Now pardon me while I macrame myself a beanbag chair to sit and crochet in.

1) Natural : Organic Wool by LB Collection / Lion Brand
2) Mesa : Hand spun merino wool by CReationsMT via Etsy
3) Lemon Curd : City Tweed by Knit Picks
4) Les Fleurs : Artyarns Impressionist Cashmere Sock Yarn

We also suggest ombre or self striping yarns to take the stress out of color work. Lion Brand’s “Amazing” and Lily’s Sugar and Cream ombres or stripes are our favs.

Read Full Post »

Bernat CAL : My Mystery Blanket Progress

We are now onto “clue #3“. Bernat releases one clue a week and it’s the perfect pace! It’s been great because these first few clues i.e. block patterns have been back-to-basics for me which makes the process to creating my mystery blanket, so far, quite painless. I unfortunately have had to tweak the patterns as I go only because our local craft store does not carry the Bernat Softee Chunky. I’ve decided to use Lion Brand Wool Ease, a gauge smaller that what the Bernat yarn. I’m also buying yarn as I go , not following the Bernat buying guide. I’ve shared my color palette below; I plan on mixing and mingling the colors through out the the squares as I make them. When I run out of one particular yarn color, even if I’m in the middle of a square, I’m going to just add on the new color. The color palette will make it cohesive. OR that’s my thought anyway. I have a 50 / 50 chance of giving this to my mom for Christmas. I’ll share more progress when I get clue #4.

I know this may look like an odd palette but the actual yarn looks different and it’s woodsy, rich and gorgeous: Seaspray, Pumpkin, Lemongrass, Violet and Clove

If you are not participating in this CAL, it’s not too late. Find the details here.

 

xoxo – Brandy

Read Full Post »

Winter Trend Forecast : Military

This trend has shown no signs of letting up. Not a shocker since military goes hand and hand with the upcoming season; who doesn’t love snuggly wool coats or bulky knits (or crochet) protecting them from the winter chill?  Truly inspired we went on a mission of our own, finding this great assortment of yarns for your next military inspired project. Each of these yarns works perfectly for Fresh.

1) Toad : City Tweed by Knit Picks

2) Khaki : Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton Yarn by Lion Brand

3) Pea Soup : Ultra Alpaca by Berroco

4) Gold/Green : Mohair Splash by Art Yarns  (has that perfect mix of muted metallic sequins and beads!)

For pops of color try:

• Navy : Redheart Soft Yarn

• Ruby :  Sunnyside Ellen via Etsy.com

Let’s face it… no matter the trend camo is always in style! … not.

Read Full Post »

Glam-tastic Yarn

Facebook and I fall in and out of love on a daily basis, but it was definitely a love moment when it ping’d me to let me know Vanna’s been busy cooking up new colors for her Glamour line – Lion Brand Yarn Studio’s yarn of the month (so sad I can’t take advantage of the 15% in studio discount).  I’ve loved this yarn from the minute I saw it however the available colors were basic and boring, I never had enough interest to actually purchase any. For me the louder the better, so when I saw the new color assortment I nearly died!  Loving all the new colors and their lux names, I put some in my digital shopping cart and merrily skipped to the check out.  I picked up some Jewel (my fav color), Gold and Onyx… very Betsy Johnson!  Once I receive it and whip an accessory or two I’ll post my thoughts about the yarn.  So far many of the reviews I’m finding are positive; most metallic threaded yarns tend to be scratchy and hard to work with, Vanna’s Glamour yarn has “a soft hand to it”.

Betsy inspired color palette: Jewel/Gold/Onyx

What I also love about these yarns is the new wide range of colors makes it possible to create interesting and beautiful color stories. Below is a few samplings of the yarns in our Rewind Knits and Crochet color stories.

Unique: Ruby Red/Bronze/Copper

Sweet: Topaz/Jewel/Copper  (very cupcake…yummy!)

Geo: Diamond/Lapis/Onyx

Fresh: Diamond/Topaz/Moonstone

Elegant: Moonstone/Garnet/Onyx

Brandy the Glam-tastic Yarn Diva aka Hoarder

Read Full Post »