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

‘Tis The Season: Last Minute Gift Ideas

The holiday season is my personal favorite. The weather is crisp, people are cheerful, and cozy knitwear abounds! Though the holiday season is my favorite, it can also be very hectic. This year has been one like no other, and while everything feels topsy-turvy, it can be hard to figure out how to make the holidays feel special. I thought I’d share some last minute gift ideas that you can make and send off to your loved ones. There is truly nothing like a handmade gift to put a smile on someone’s face.

Accessories are always quicker projects that people love. Maybe a scarf they can cozy up in, or the perfect hat to throw on as they head out the door for work in the morning. Uptown Super Bulky is our 100% anti-pilling acrylic bulky weight yarn that is easy to care for and soft to wear.
The Flourish Scarf is a gorgeous lace scarf knit using Uptown Super Bulky. A lace pattern is repeated along the entire scarf; it’s a breeze! This is a project that feels delicate, yet cozy, and a perfect gift idea. I know I personally would love this one knit in color 408 Old Rose.
Another project in Uptown Super Bulky that makes a great gift is the Coffee Beans and Sugar Cubes hat. This is a fun, easy knit, and one ball of each color will make 2 hats as shown! Double the gifts, double the fun. Have a knitter on your gift list? This comes in a kit as well, with a few color options to choose from!
Merino Mist is a yarn that just feels like the holidays. It is plush and soft, with a little bit of metallic sheen that makes it easy to dress up or down. The Swivel Cowl (pictured here) is a 2 skein project that makes a great grab-and-go accessory. The beautiful cables combined with the yarn also make it a piece easily dressed up for a chilly night out. Bonus: also available as a kit for the knitter in your life.
Know someone who’s expecting? The Storytime Blankies, knit using Bella Chenille Big, is an ultra cozy baby blanket just perfect for snuggling up. We offer two color suggestions in this free pattern, and it is beginner-friendly as well. This ultra bulky weight chenille yarn knits up so fast, you can make a baby blanket in no time!
Adore is our 55% superwash merino, 45% acrylic blend yarn that makes an excellent choice for baby and adult projects alike. It has such a luxurious look and feel in a very affordable skein. Can you tell I Adore it? Excellent. Another great last minute gift idea for babies is Toasty Toes! Quick to knit and just oh so adore-able (I can do this all day), one skein of yarn makes approximately four pairs of tiny socks. Grab the free pattern by clicking the link above!
Meet one of our newest yarns on the block, Deluxe Stripes! This 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon worsted weight yarn does the work for you, as it stripes itself while you knit. With colors available well suited to anyone in your life, we’ve introduced some free patterns that make for quick gifting! The Citrus Hat pattern is sized from Child/teen to Adult Large, and the stripes make simple stockinette stitch more fun!
Sock knitters looking for fast and fun projects? Look no further. The Deluxe Socks are a free pattern using our brand new Deluxe Stripes yarn. With a heel flap and gusset and stockinette stitch foot, these socks are a weeknight knitting dream. Both of the patterns I just mentioned are also one skein wonders!
I wanted to give a bonus mention to some projects that may not be winter weather oriented, but they make amazing gifts. The Malawi Earrings are an adorable group of earrings made using our Yashi Iro and Yashi yarns. This raffia yarn is great for home decor and accessory projects. I love these earrings and would be so happy receiving them from a friend!
Maybe you know someone who has a new house, or who just loves bohemian style decor? The Shoreline Rug is a quick to work crochet project using our Clean Cotton Big yarn. This 85% recycled cotton, 15% cotton blend yarn is great for home decor and macrame projects. I think this would make an adorable entryway or bathroom rug!
My final mention: Ricorumi kits. Little crochet friends for you (or someone you love) to make! Each kit comes with all the supplies you need to make your chosen buddy. We also have Ricorumi pattern books, like Ricorumi Friends and the Ricorumi DK mini skeins, if someone you know loves to make amigurumi. Sometimes the best last minute gift is just the supplies you need to make the things you love! I hope this gives you the inspiration you need to get the holiday gifts going.

Happy Holiday Gifting and Crafting!