Holidays happen all year round, and I think it’s really fun to incorporate crochet into the holidays! I think it’s important, because holidays keep me motivated to crochet something and finish it for a reason.

I am thinking about the holidays that are coming up as I write this, and there are plenty! Crochet Spot is a global community, so I am hoping I can learn of some new holidays from different regions of the country and also different parts of the world. 🙂

I bought a really cool calendar that helps me keep up with my blogging. Now I want to use it to create crochet holiday inspiration!

Selected Upcoming Holidays & Crochet Items to Make

November 2012
World Kindness Week – Nov. 12-18 – Crochet a quick hat, and give it away!
World Toilet Day (no joke!) – Nov. 19 – Crochet a toilet paper scarf! 😉
Thanksgiving (U.S.) – Nov. 22 – Crochet place mats & napkin rings in your favorite fall colors.

December 2012
National Cookie Day – Dec. 1 – Crochet one of these or these!
Hanukkah – Dec. 9-16 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Hanukkah! Here’s one good gift idea.
World Peace Day – Dec. 21 – Crochet this.
Christmas – Dec. 25 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Christmas! How about something like this? 😉

What are you crocheting up for the holidays?? Feel free to share in the comments section!

It’s gotten pretty cold where I live, and we even got snow. Of course that means it’s time for a nice, steaming mug of tea or hot chocolate. There are a lot of mug cozies out there, but sometimes they cover the best parts of the mug. This cozy lets pictures and text show through and is easy to adjust to show off the best parts of your favorite mug.

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Thanks everyone for participating in the giveaway and a special thanks to Corinne for giving away the yarn! I found all of your pattern and tutorial suggestions very helpful and I’ll be sure to incorporate them when coming up with new content for the site. Congrats to the giveaway winner… Jaymee (random comment #223)

Thanks again for participating everyone! I’m sure we’ll have more fun giveaways again soon!

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! This is a fun hat to crochet for Christmas or just to wear as a stylish hat. Feel free to crochet the hat in Christmas colors like in the photo, or choose any 2 contrasting colors you like! You can also get creative and crochet the hat in as many colors as you desire, or simply use one solid color. Experience with changing colors in crochet is a plus. The pattern does come in 5 sizes from baby to a large adult, and can also be adjusted to be as long as you desire.

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.

A Guest Post by Jolanta Gustafsson.

This pattern for a granny square with a flower is easy to crochet and easy to adjust to your own style. Just choose the colors that you like and combine them as you want. If you want to get a stylish look, choose one color – natural white or some other light shade. To get a more cheerful look, use contrasting colors but keep them in order. For example, red shades in the center of the granny and blue-green shades up to the edges. And if you choose colors randomly, you can get quite a cheeky look!

Note: Squares in the photo are joined with single crochet stitches.
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Fair Isle knitting became popular in 1921 when the Prince of Wales wore Fair Isle tank tops in public (Fair Isle is a tiny island in the north of Scotland). The Fair Isle technique refers to color work where stitches are knit alternately in various colors. We’ve all seen Fair Isle style on ski sweaters, scarves, mittens, etc. with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors. There are an infinite number of patterns that can be incorporated into a handmade piece, and with today’s selection of colors in yarn, making a striking, unique piece is likely, but not simple.

Sample of Fair Isle Knitting

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Two spirals come together to make this bracelet–one a flat circle, and the other a 3-dimensional band. This is a great pattern for variegated yarns with short color intervals, but you can always make it in one solid color as well.

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It’s a funny question to ask, because we’re all here because we love crochet, right? But think about it – there are oodles of crafts out there. Why do YOU choose to crochet? I am imagining a few reasons why, but I really want to hear from you!

Personally, I choose to crochet for four main reasons:

1. I am creating fabric! As the daughter of a textile-obsessed artist, the idea that I could actually make fabric is what got me to learn crochet!

2. There are so many stitches and techniques to explore! I know with certainty that I will be forever happy because the opportunities for creative exploration in this craft will never end.

3. It’s not so hard to start. I’m not going to say it’s easy, because I remember my beginning days, but honestly, it wasn’t so bad. It’s a pretty kind craft in that way. 🙂

4. I am making useful stuff! I don’t know about you, but I lose motivation when I am making something that’s meant to be only a “decoration.” Don’t get me wrong, I love adornment, but after a while, we crocheters accumulate finished items because we’re always crocheting! It makes me happy to know that someone will *use* the item I am making.

What about you?

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! Keep those itty bitty baby hands warm this winter by crocheting these adorable baby mittens. The pattern includes 5 different animals to crochet: bear, bunny, cat, dog, and mouse. The pattern starts with a classic thumb-less baby mitten. The ears and face are then added on to truly bring the mittens to life. The faces are embroidered on, so previous experience embroidering is a plus. The mittens are also crocheted with elastic at the wrist to ensure a snug fit.

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.

This is a nice, thick, coaster with a ruffle for a more feminine touch. The center is nice and flat so you can sit your glass on it without worrying about ruining the ruffle effect. It is easy to make, and you can work up a whole set in a flash. Have fun with this pattern, and be sure to make a bunch in different colors!

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