Flash Pattern Friday – Traditions Blanket

There’s something magical about winter knitting, with slow days, cozy evenings, and creating something with your hands that lasts for years. Wrap yourself in warmth with our Traditions blanket, beautifully designed by Aubrey Busek & Afifa Sayeed. Stitch by stitch, it’s a little act of love for you or someone special. 

This is the kind of blanket that weaves itself into a family’s story. Knit it as a meaningful holiday gift, a winter birthday present, or a thoughtful housewarming surprise. You can also turn it into a tradition by making one Traditions blanket each winter. Handmade gifts are never forgotten, and this one will be cherished for years to come.

There’s no better moment to cozy up with some winter knitting! With Uptown Worsted at 20% off, it’s the perfect time to start the Traditions blanket or stock up for future gift projects. Knit in 312 Race Car Red and 302 White Glow, the Traditions blanket captures warmth, nostalgia, and heartfelt charm in every stitch. Soft, vibrant, and long-lasting—Uptown Worsted is a high-quality yarn with an anti-pilling finish, making it ideal for projects you’ll love to wear and treasure for years.

Embrace the comfort of creating something special, start a new tradition, and enjoy the joy of winter knitting. Simply enter the code FLASH on Ravelry during checkout. Hurry—this sale ends 12/28!

Yarn love, always,

Angelina

Free Pattern Friday – Basalt Hat and Cowl

Welcome back and happy Friday! It’s Free Pattern Friday, and this week our gift to you is the Basalt Hat and Cowl set, designed by Alexandra Frankel. We love matching accessories, and this one knits up so fast, you’ll have it ready just in time for Christmas.

The Basalt Hat and Cowl are a cozy addition to your cold weather wardrobe, and with lower temperatures approaching, you’ll want to knit these ASAP! The hat features a folded brim for extra warmth, while the cowl has an adjustable drawstring to keep the winds of winter at bay.

This quick set takes 2 balls of Major, one of our most popular yarns! You have a vast array of colors to choose from, so whether you’re making this for yourself or as a gift for others, there are so many options that you’re sure to find the perfect one.

Major is on sale for 20% off now through Sunday, December 14th, so make sure to get it now so you can whip up your new favorite snuggly Basalt Hat and Cowl.

Enjoy every stitch!

Chloe

Rico Holiday Kits: Embroidery, Cross Stitch, and Macramé

An image of a Christmas Tree with macramé candy canes is shown with a rad banner and text that reads "Rico Holiday Kits: Embroidery, Cross Stitch, and Macramé."

This holiday season, we are celebrating makers of all kinds with new kits from Rico Design. If you’re curious about cross-stitch, excited for embroidery, or if you’re experiencing a bit of Macramé mania, then you’re in for a treat! Each kit has various holiday themes, ranging from traditional to yuletide so there is truly something for every maker.

The embroidery kits, as seen above in the Rico Design Christmas Roses Embroidery Kit, all come with pre-drawn fabrics and the materials needed to create the perfect picture. This includes the pre-printed fabric, embroidery thread, frame, embroidery needle, and instructions. This is a wonderful way to dive into a new skill if you haven’t tried embroidery before. Or, if you are already an embroidery enthusiast, this kit is a great option for some quick gift-making for friends or loved-ones.

The counted cross stitch kits have instructions for a decorative motif in various winter designs, like this adorable small house. Each one includes a unique frame, as well as the embroidery thread, needle, counting fabric, and instructions for creating the motif. The one shown here is the Rico Design Small House Cross Stitch Kit, which also comes in medium and large sizes! To create the image, you line up your ‘counting fabric’ in the frame, which will have small perforations in a grid. You will then follow the instructional guide to count over to specific locations in the grid to place your crisscross stitches. If tracking placement and counting isn’t your thing, keep an eye out for the “pre-drawn” note on the listings for the embroidery versions of these cozy Christmas homes (small, medium, large). Embroidery does use different stitches, which will have a final appearance distinct from cross stitch, but the overall image will capture the same holiday cheer.

The macramé kits are all made to explore simple techniques to create ornament or gift tag-sized pieces, like the above Rico Design Fir Trees Macramé Kit, which uses simple knots and angled trimming to create this trendy tree tag. Some other adorable projects to try include a using a wrapping technique in the Candy Canes Macramé Kit, more intricate knots in the Elf Macramé Kit, placing knots around a frame in the Star Macramé Kit, and lastly, combining knots, trimming, and a bead accessory to make the sweet Angels Macramé Kit. Each kit offers ways to learn new skills while making home accents or gifts for friends and family to cherish.

Which kind of crafting kit will be right for you? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Making!
Ashley Jane

Throwback Thursday – Happy Little Elf

It’s Throwback Thursday!TT Happy Little ElfWe had someone on Facebook ask about this pattern a couple of days ago, and it reminded us of how close the holidays are.  So today, we offer this formerly paid pattern, now set free!

The Happy Little Elf is an adorable Michele Wilcox design (we love Michele!) that was originally only available as part of a kit featuring Classic Worsted Holiday.   We’re recommending Uptown Worsted as a substitute.

Uptown Worsted is 100% anti-pilling acrylic.  As a former yarn snob, I was skeptical of acrylics until I squeezed my first skein of Uptown.  This would definitely be soft enough for a beloved little friend who is also machine washable.

Uptown Worsted Happy Little Elf colors_blog
What I like about Uptown for this pattern is that it has a broad color palette.  Our recommendations to match the original Happy Little Elf are pictured here, but there are a good variety of skin tones and jacket and shoe options if you want to personalize your elf.

Looking at elf pictures online (I love my job) made me realize just how standard this elf costume is in popular culture, and how versatile this little elf could be.  You could make a little buddy, so to speak…

Buddy the Elf

…or you could make your own little offbeat elf to take on adventures.

Hermey the Elf

 

We just got that 356 Bright Blue in stock.  It’s like it was meant to be.

We hope you’ll enjoy making a little pal for yourself, or for someone in your life who could use some magic.

Happy knitting!